Crisis Simulation

Crisis Management Testing and Training

Improvise under pressure

Is your team prepared for a crisis?
Are your plans tested and your team’s skills practised?

A crisis simulation is a non-theoretical operational exercise that can :

• Test your crisis management on all levels.
• Assess and practice your overall crisis response capability and skills.
• Focus on specific components such as call-out, mobilization effectiveness, communication equipment, media communication, relative response, etc.
• Involve different locations and third parties including regulatory bodies, government, customers, media, etc., as required.
• Produce clear learning outcomes for the improvement of crisis management processes and skills.

How does it work?

Before the simulation Playing Mantis will work in close collaboration with the client to design a crisis simulation to test exactly what the client would like tested. We also suggest a brief skills training workshop in the stages and principles of crisis management – principles that are narrowly linked to improvisation skills for thinking innovatively under pressure but within the parameters of strict rules.

During the simulation the selected crisis management team would be expected to act according to crisis procedures and activate all systems and resources needed to respond to the simulated crisis. Depending on the nature of the simulation, client executives, managers and employees may be involved to assist with the simulation. We may also invite actors or outside participants like police or firemen to help with the playing out of the simulation. Once the simulation is completed we make sure that a thorough debriefing session allows participants to both debrief the personal effects of the experience as well as the practical learning that could help the client to improve crisis management processes.

Why crisis simulations exercise

Research has shown that crisis simulations are the most effective way for testing the planning and skills of a crisis management team. The reason for this is the experiential nature of a crisis simulation which

• Tests the ability to apply theoretical knowledge under pressure.
• Assesses the whole brain integration of training and latent skills.
• Develops collaboration and innovation amongst chosen team members.
• Evaluates the suitability of employees for dealing with crises and working in teams and.
• Allows all parties to reflect on the company culture and values that may either assist or hinder the effective handling of crises.

We have been working with Playing Mantis on developing a Crisis Simulation for our Crisis Management Team.
It is quite a feather on their hat that they have such a qualified staff compliment with a number of years of experience and qualifications to back that up.

They have demonstrated that they are experienced in dealing with people and understand what makes people tick and how to extract the best results of them.

As a service provider often one just receives particular solutions that are provided but with Playing Mantis we found that they were very creative and they could tackle non-routine projects.
Overall I find them great people to work with.

- Warren Young, Chief Risk Officer for Sanlam Investments:

Contact Petro on 0828282259  or petro@playingmantis.net for more information.