Assignment

Your paper MUST INCLUDE the following format:

Introduction

Provide a very brief overview of your case (where, when, what happened)

Explain which theoretical construct* you will be applying and why

1. Pre-Conditions

Crises rarely occur ‘out of the blue', instead there are usually several warning signs. Discuss the warning signs and why people did not respond adequately in your particular crisis case.

1. Trigger-Only pick one!

Discuss the point in time that the crisis kicked-off-how, when, why?

• Crisis

Discuss how, when and why the crisis escalated to produce the greatest damage

1. Post-Crisis

Discuss what happened after the acute phase was over

What were the lessons learned to prevent a future crisis event-were they ‘learned' or ignored post-crisis?

Summary

Consider all phases of your analysis. In sum, what should we have learned from your paper's analysis and how did the theoretical framework you selected help us understand this crisis better.

*Theoretical constructs could be, for example, Team Resource Management; Normal Accidents; Naturalistic Decision Making; Human Error (Swiss Cheese); Predictable Surprises; Drift Towards Failure; Critical period; Incubation period; Social defenses; Team learning; Groupthink; Destructive pursuit of idealized goals; Toxic Triangle, Organisational Munchhausen by Proxy; among others discussed in class this term.

To pass, you MUST demonstrate three skills in the analysis of your case:

Skill 1. Research skills through proper selection of a crisis case study.

• The case study must be a real incident that actually happened.

• The case can be a:

o positive example of a well-managed crisis, for example, US Airways Hudson River landing [Although this example is not available since it was covered in class and the textbook].

o Most likely, the case selected is a bad example or a case of some sort of organizational failure from a changing situation that was not well managed and resulted in some sort of crisis [ie bankruptcy, accident, fatalities, etc]

• The paper cannot be based on a case discussed in class &/or on the list of unauthorized topics.

Skill 2. Analysis skills through proper application of the 4 stages of the ‘Lifecycle of Crisis' framework:

• Subheadings MUST be listed exactly as directed in handout

• Only ONE trigger is acceptable: Trigger should not blame individuals [ie operator error] but rather focus on a systemic tipping point that put the ‘accident waiting to happen' into motion.

• As such, the trigger is NOT the crash, bankruptcy, fatalities, hurricane, earthquake, etc. That should be discussed as part of the preconditions or crisis itself.

Skill 3. Crititcal thinking skills through proper application of at least one theory-proper application of 2 or 3 is exceptional-IF DONE CORRECTLY. Name dropping in several theories without fully integrating and applying them in the analysis will NOT BE REWARDED WITH A HIGHER MARK.

Students will excel by following guidance provided, selecting an innovative case, reflecting deeply about it using theoretical constructs provided in class, and analysing the case in an interesting and novel manner within the framework assigned. The framework provides the structure within which you can creatively analyse your crisis and make your case.