A management tool used to ensure that adequate arrangements are made in
anticipation of a crisis. This is a process of establishing programme objectives,
approaches and procedures to respond to situations or events that are likely to occur,
including identifying those events and developing likely scenarios and appropriate
plans to prepare and respond to them in an effective manner. This is achieved
primarily through engagement in a planning process leading to a plan of action,
together with follow-up actions. (OCHA)