Crisis planning

All operations must be prepared to manage a crisis. This means having a plan in place and knowing what actions to take when a serious incident occurs.

A crisis is defined as a serious event in which the organisation needs to rapidly organise its response.

The crisis plan is used during serious incidents to lead and coordinate activities.

For disruptions that do not constitute a crisis, the continuity plan is used instead to maintain operations.

Less serious incidents are handled within day-to-day operations.

Incident reporting – for less serious events

Continuity planning – support for planning during disruptions

Local and central crisis plans

The University has a central crisis plan describing how serious incidents are managed at the university-wide level.

Crisis plan at Stockholm University

Each department and division must also have a local crisis plan.

The local plan is used to manage crises within the specific unit, for example

  • disruptions in internal systems
  • serious incidents affecting staff.

The local and central crisis plans are used in different situations:

  • The local crisis plan is used when the incident can be managed within the unit.
  • The central crisis plan is used when the incident requires coordination at the University-wide level.

In some cases, both plans are used simultaneously.

Developing a crisis plan

The crisis plan should enable a rapid and coordinated response.

Base the plan on how your unit operates and the risks identified.

Consider which types of events would require you to gather quickly and make joint decisions.

Examples:

  • serious accidents
  • threats or violence
  • major IT disruptions
  • incidents affecting a large number of people.

Decide who does what.

  • Who leads the work?
  • Who makes decisions?
  • Who is responsible for communication?
  • How do you contact each other?

Describe how you will act.

  • What is done immediately?
  • What is done in the short term?
  • How will you communicate?

  • Make the plan known within the organisation.
  • Practise regularly.
  • Update as needed.

The Security function can provide support and assist with exercises.

Using the crisis plan

When a crisis occur

  • appoint a person in charge
  • establish a situational overview
  • prioritise actions
  • coordinate information.

If something happens

Take the following actions immediately

  • Ensure life and health are protected – call 112 if necessary.
  • Contact the Officer on standy (TiB – Tjänsteman i beredskap).
  • Convene the crisis management team.
  • Establish an initial situational overview.
  • Document what is happening.

The response follows the University’s crisis management process and methodology.

  • Maintain contact with the Duty Officer (TiB).
  • Collaborate with those concerned.
  • Coordinate information.
  • Inform affected staff.

The work is carried out through recurring meetings where the situational overview is updated and new actions are decided.

  • Follow up on what has occurred.
  • Document lessons learned.
  • Update the crisis plan.
  • Ensure that those affected receive support.

Crisis management, roles and communication

Crisis management is the structured response initiated during a serious incident.

The work is based on

  • clearly defined roles
  • a shared situational overview
  • coordinated decision-making.

Crisis communication

Communication is a central part of crisis management. Information must be coordinated, accurate, and reach the appropriate target groups at the right time.

To quickly establish a shared situational overview, the four-field model is used:

  • What has happened?
  • What are we doing now?
  • What do we need?
  • What are our next steps?

Checklists for incidents, fatalities and threats

Checklists provide guidance in specific situations.

Accident or fatality

Threats or concerning behaviour

Serious personal situations

Contact

Last updated: 2026-04-24

Source: Property Office Management