By Joe Buffone, National Emergency Management Agency
 

The Crisis Appreciation and Strategic Planning (CASP) methodology is a planning approach for strategic and operational risks that has been developed by NEMA. Facilitators trained in the CASP approach are able to lead small teams in a structured, systematic method to rapidly develop planning options during complex events. It enables agencies to unlock specialist subject matter expertise – even if individuals do not have prior planning experience.

The four-stage methodology delivers a comprehensive planning product that integrates information from multiple sources, builds situational awareness, interprets complex situations and develops a shared understanding of incident priorities and lines of effort, while delivering artefacts and dashboards that record planning considerations.  

The CASP methodology draws on the information, data, research, experience and critical thinking of participants to identify values at risk and priority lines of effort to support the restoration of order. The CASP process focusses on consequence identification and management, rather than hazard-specific approaches. It promotes diversity of thought, integrates different perspectives, and enables data to be quickly validated by subject matter experts. 

CASP promotes organisational curiosity and supports meaning making, even in the fog of crisis. CASP has been formally identified as the Australian Government’s preferred planning tool within the Australian Government Crisis Management Framework (AGCMF). NEMA is leading a nationally consistent approach to strategic planning across agencies. In April 2024, NEMA established an internal CASP Taskforce. Initially focused on uplifting NEMA’s planning capabilities, the Taskforce has now trained 400 officials across NEMA, the Australian Government and jurisdictional agencies – uplifting national planning capability.