Cultivating a longitudinal learning process through recurring crisis management training exercises in twelve Swedish municipalities

Abstract

This study illustrates how crisis management capability is developed in series of recurring exercises, rather than in one single exercise. Over one hundred table-top and role-playing exercises were performed and evaluated in a longitudinal cross-case action research study in 12 Swedish municipalities. By consciously adapting training formats, municipalities were lead through three learning phases: obtaining role understanding (phase 1: knowing what to do), developing information management skills (phase 2: knowing how to do it), and mastering self-reflection in regular time-outs (phase 3: knowing when and why to do something). This final learning outcome, being able to concurrently execute, evaluate, and reorganize an ongoing crisis management performance, may be the most valuable capability of a crisis management organization when crisis strikes.