In practice, we frequently observe that situation assessment and judgment formation are conflated during crisis meetings. This adversely affects the meeting and decision-making processes of the crisis team, as well as the dissemination of information to the broader crisis organization.
Situation assessment involves a description or update of the current circumstances. It primarily focuses on facts known at that specific time. What has occurred?
And what are the prevailing conditions?
Judgment formation primarily involves forward-thinking. What are our primary concerns? Which processes are likely to be impacted? What is our overarching objective?
By clearly distinguishing between situation assessment and judgment formation, the crisis team's decision-making is enhanced, and information can be shared in a structured manner with the crisis organization.