Definition
Crisis Management is the process of planning, coordinating and making decisions during crises that significantly affect an organisation's operations, people, obligations or objectives.
Human Explanation
It defines how organisational leadership assesses a serious situation, sets priorities, coordinates teams and communicates while normal decision structures are under pressure.
Why it Matters
Clear crisis leadership reduces delay and conflicting action, protects important stakeholders and supports an orderly return to normal operations.
Conceptual Boundary
Crisis Management includes organisational and business decisions and is broader than technical Incident Response. Not every incident becomes a crisis; escalation depends on its impact, uncertainty and need for executive coordination.
Practical Perspective
Roles, authority, communication channels and decision criteria must be prepared and exercised before a crisis, because they are hardest to establish while it is unfolding.