Stop Writing Crisis Plans for People—Write Them for Elephants Instead!

When you’re in the middle of a crisis, how do you think your brain works? Are you tough, rational, and making well-considered decisions based on an overview of all the facts? Probably not.

During a crisis, your brain is hijacked by cortisol and adrenaline, the stress hormones that prepare you for immediate action.
In this state, you’re driven by what Daniel Kahneman and others call System 1 thinking—fast, automatic, and instinctual decisions shaped by cognitive biases.

This is a far cry from the deliberate, logical mindset you likely had when writing your IT contingency plan.

Here’s the problem: When the crisis hits, RASCIs, flowcharts, and dense role descriptions won’t cut it. Your bandwidth is stretched too thin to process complexity.

Some call System 1 the elephant. While System 2—the rational and deliberate part of your brain—acts like a small, thoughtful mahout steering from above, the elephant is big, heavy, and driven by instinct.
When the elephant panics, it bulldozes through everything in its path, oblivious to smarter, more efficient routes it could have taken.

So, the real question is this: How do you write a plan that helps you during an IT crisis when your brain is thinking like an elephant?

Write for the Elephant Brain

When thinking like the elephant, you can only handle the simple, the familiar, and what you’ve practiced. That’s why your IT contingency plan needs to be prioritized:

• Short, clear agendas (no more than 5 points).
• Action cards with direct, step-by-step instructions.
• Clear role assignments that leave no room for confusion.
• Training—lots of it.
  
  

Why Training Matters

A plan that works in theory but fails under pressure is as good as no plan.
Training is the only way to ensure your plan is both functional and familiar when chaos strikes. Every time you rehearse, you’ll refine your plan and improve it.

Furthermore, your brain loves repetition. Familiar routines mean less energy spent making decisions, leaving more room to focus on critical actions. This is key in a crisis when energy and attention are in short supply.

Why Simplicity wins

Your elephant brain thrives on simplicity. The fewer decisions it has to make, the better. A text-heavy, complex plan will only paralyze you in the moment. Instead, focus on these essentials:

• Get the right people in the room.
• Present a clear, visual overview (ditch the lengthy text!).
• Equip your team to make quick decisions and execute immediately.

If your plan requires text, make it as easy to read as possible. Avoid long, convoluted sentences. In Denmark, we have a handy tool called a LIX number calculator, available for free online, to measure how readable your text is. Use it to ensure clarity.

Three biases to watch for in your plan

Cognitive biases can sabotage even the best-laid plans. Here are three you need to address when writing your IT contingency plan:

• Tyranny of choice
  When faced with too many options, we can freeze, pick the first thing we see, or fail to act entirely.
  Keep your plan focused and precise. Write in a conversational, "you-and-I" style that’s easy for the brain to process.
  
  
• Overconfidence bias
  We all overestimate our ability to stay rational and manage crises.
  Action cards and checklists are your safety net, helping you cover all critical points when your brain might miss something.
  
  
• Bandwagon effect
  Humans are social creatures. Once someone suggests a solution, it’s hard to see alternatives.
  Always include a Plan B and Plan C. Add these as mandatory fields on your crisis whiteboard to ensure they’re visible and actionable.

In short: Write your plan for elephants

Your IT contingency plan needs to match the reality of how the brain works in a crisis.
Make it short, clear, and manageable. Embrace simplicity and training to ensure it’s usable when the elephant takes over.

Next time you sit down to update your plan, ask yourself: Is this something I could execute when I’m stressed, overwhelmed, and driven by instinct? If not, it’s time to rewrite.

Your future self—the one dealing with the crisis—will thank you.


Did you find this interesting?
Then check out my new book where you can find much more on contingency planning… and elephants! 

Let me take a look at that book!