The value of tabletop exercises and one-page planning documents

Mary Lasky, Program Manager, Business Continuity, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Abstract
Tabletop exercises are an excellent means for teaching people what a severe pandemic entails and for helping participants realise both the importance of planning and how to relate to an existing plan. Creating a one-page document to describe one’s pandemic response plan and delineate trigger points enhances understanding of a complex plan and is excellent for guiding action during a pandemic. This paper will discuss the value of both tabletop exercises and one-page pandemic response plan summaries. In addition, it discusses the lessons learned from their use at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and at several non-profit organisations in Howard County, Maryland.

Keywords
tabletop exercise, pandemic, continuity, preparedness, planning, emergency, triggers

Mary Lasky is the Program Manager for Business Continuity Planning for the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). She is also chairman of the Community Emergency Response Network (CERN) in Howard County, Maryland, and the President of the Central Maryland Chapter of the Association of Contingency Planners (ACP). Ms Lasky spoke at the Continuity Insights Conferences in May 2008 and April 2009 and at the August 2009 International Swine Flu Summit in Washington, DC. In addition she was the moderator of the 7th Bird Flu Summit in November 2008 in Las Vegas.

If you wish to read the full text of the article you will need to subscribe.