Risk & Crisis Management in the Public Sector

Lynn Drennan and Allan McConnell

Routledge, 2007

ISBN: 041537815X

£24.99 but 20% discount for IRM members

In 247 pages, Drennan and McConnell provide an excellent primer which comprehensively covers the 'What to do' elements of managing risks and crises. They also give pointers to 'How to do it in your organisation' through copious references and a comprehensive and reader-friendly, topic-by-topic bibliography that comes complete with mini reviews. These comments explain the particular usefulness of each book mentioned, and I am sure will save a lot of irrelevant reading.

The book starts with a helpful section that explores the nature of risks and crises, goes on to cover the principles of assessing and managing risks, and then extends those principles to contingency planning, preparing for a potential crisis, responding when a crisis strikes and learning the lessons afterwards. Finally there is a clear discussion of risk and crisis management on the global scale.

The book is illustrated throughout with case studies showing success and failure in risk and crisis management in both private and public sectors - many suitable for re-use in educating senior managers. Each chapter starts with learning objectives, key points and key terms, and ends with suggested exercises and thought provoking discussion points. In between are clear and readable explanations of the subject areas.

While aimed at stidents of risk management, this book is also a great resource for risk managers and those preaching good practice in their organisations. It is a book I wish I had had when I strarted out in risk management. My copy will become very well thumbed, and if you buy the book, I suspect yours will, too.

Reviewed by Ray Butler, FIRM, Risk Management Advisor, Highways Agency