The 15 Questions We Ask Before Designing a Crisis Simulation Exercise

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Planning a crisis simulation exercise? The quality of your exercise depends on the quality of the planning.

In Episode 169 of the PreparedEx Podcast, Rob Burton shares the 15 essential questions PreparedEx asks every prospective client before designing a tabletop exercise or simulation.

From identifying objectives and selecting the right scenario to understanding participants, reviewing existing plans, defining deliverables, budgets, and decision-makers, these questions form the foundation of an effective exercise that delivers real value—not just another discussion around a table.

Whether you’re responsible for crisis management, business continuity, emergency management, security, operational resilience, or incident response, this episode provides a practical framework you can use before your next exercise.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why every exercise should start with clear objectives.
• How participant selection influences exercise design.
• Why reviewing existing plans can dramatically improve outcomes.
• The importance of tailoring scenarios to real organizational risks.
• What deliverables you should expect after an exercise.
• How asking the right questions leads to better preparedness.

If you’re considering a tabletop exercise for your organization, this episode is a great place to start. Learn more about PreparedEx at www.preparedex.com.