Dealing With An Investigation: Planning Ahead

Global Crisis Management Series: This post is part 3 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 beginning stages of an investigation are often the most critical. At the outset of any investigation, information is often limited and events are unfolding quickly. As a result, it is important to develop a clear and adaptable plan that is appropriately scoped, identifies the right team and sets forth the steps that will be taken as part of the investigation. Having a written plan in place is crucial to making sure that all relevant stakeholders are on the same page about what activities the investigation will include. It also ensures that the investigation is managed effectively and is guided by a clear set of objectives.