Run a useful 30-minute continuity tabletop exercise
A tabletop exercise is a structured conversation about a fictional disruption. The value comes from the decisions and gaps the discussion reveals. This short ODSS format is a starting exercise for a small team.
Before the meeting: choose one objective
Pick one decision to practice, such as keeping your priority services running when the workplace is unavailable. Invite the people who own those services and someone who can approve the resulting changes. Assign a facilitator and a note-taker. Make clear that this is discussion only: no one should contact emergency services, move money or change production systems as part of the exercise.
Minutes 0–5: set the fictional situation
Read this prompt: “Our normal workplace is unavailable this morning. There is no confirmed reopening time. Staff are safe, and we need to decide how today’s priority work will continue.” Agree on the assumptions. Identify the lead, the deputy, the first three activities to continue and the work that can wait.
Minutes 5–15: require evidence
Ask the team to name the fallback it would use and show how it knows that option is available. Who has authority to approve it? What information, access and resources are needed? If an answer is “someone probably has that,” record it as an unverified assumption instead of treating it as a working capability.
Minutes 15–22: introduce one change
Add this fictional update: “The closure may last three days, and the person who usually coordinates the fallback is unavailable.” Ask what changes now. Name the decision-maker, the next review time and the message to staff or customers. Keep the conversation on coordination and approved alternatives.
Minutes 22–30: close with actions
Write down one strength, the three most consequential gaps and the first improvement to complete. Assign an owner, due date and a simple verification step for each action. A useful output is “Alex will confirm the alternate supplier’s capacity by Friday,” rather than “improve supplier resilience.”
After the exercise: verify the improvement
Send the action list to the responsible people through your normal internal process. Update the controlled plan when a gap is closed. Run a later discussion to check whether the change solved the problem. The meeting does not certify your organization or prove that every fallback will work during a real incident.
Continue with the complete kit.
The First 72, Edition 01, includes an interactive offline planner, printable guide, seven editable worksheets, three tabletop scenarios and four message templates. One organization can make unlimited internal copies. $249 USD once, plus applicable tax. No subscription or consulting engagement.
See what is inside the kit →Free public resources
These ODSS notes are an original starting format. You can also use CISA’s free Tabletop Exercise Packages and CISA introduction to its exercise materials. The agencies do not endorse ODSS or this product.
General management planning and fictional discussion only. Use approved emergency procedures and local authorities during an actual emergency. Your organization must verify its own information, approve its procedures and obtain specialist advice where needed.