Global Crisis Management Series: This post is part 6 in a
series concerning topics further elaborated on in Cleary
Gottlieb's Global Crisis Management Handbook—a desk
reference for spotting issues and avoiding common mistakes when
faced with a crisis. The current version is available
here.
The overall success of an investigation depends on the flow of
communications between those overseeing an investigation, those
conducting it and the company's relevant stakeholders. As such,
it is necessary to identify responsibilities and define the
structure of communications at the outset of the investigation.
Before determining what communication chains should be
established, there are certain threshold issues that will need to
be decided. Who will be directing and overseeing the investigation?
Who will be conducting it? Once these determinations are made,
communication links must be established between: (1) the members of
the investigative team and the body overseeing the
