In this course we examine the key attributes of an event or situation that can threaten the survival and goals of an organization. We start with a brief overview of the attributes of a crisis including threat, urgency, ambiguity, stress and emotions, and the potential for opportunity and gain. This leads to a conversation about the complex and multiple factors that cause crisis including failures and dysfunctions within the organization, external threats that undermine the organization and mismanagement of the crisis by those tasked with resolving it. Then we explore the multidimensional consequences of crisis reflecting the larger environment of which the organization is part.

This course serves to develop an understanding of the phases of a crisis from pre-crisis phase, the crisis phases and the post crisis phase.