Resilience & Leadership: Tools, Methods, & Applications from Coursera

Resilience & Leadership: Tools, Methods, & Applications is the second course of the ‘Resilience Engineering and Leadership in Crisis’ specialization. This course offers tools and methods for applying the concepts from the Course 1 (Resilience & Leadership: Concepts, Definitions, & Frameworks) to various applications and disaster scenarios. Systems thinking, crisis management lifecycle, and organizational strategy are presented to help cultivate and strengthen crisis leadership and communication skills. Learners will assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

What's inside

Syllabus

Applying Systems Concepts & Perspectives

Welcome to the second course of the Resilience & Leadership series. In this course, we will get started right away by introducing you to systems theory and discussing how systems concepts may be applied to crisis management. You will be presented with systems thinking and mental models to use as tools for working with unanticipated disruptions. We’ll discuss a few example disaster events and apply some of the resilience concepts and frameworks covered so far in this specialization. Finally, you will discover a method for scanning the environment to collect and analyze relevant information using a SWOT analysis tool that can help with identifying potential crises.

Crisis Management Systems, Teams, and Plans

In this module we’ll take a closer look at systems theory and how systems concepts may apply to a scenario composed of multiple complex systems. We'll review the important content and objectives of a Crisis Management Plan (CMP) and recognize the critical characteristics of Crisis Management Team (CMT) members. Finally, we’ll explore the integration of human and technical resilience capacities and processes in complex critical infrastructure systems.

Resilience Training, Business, & Organizational Strategy

In this module, we'll discuss a case that shows why organizational resilience is important in workplaces. We’ll discuss how some generic competencies are reasonable to expect, others are emergent and appear unpredictable. We’ll also take closer look at the link between corporate strategy and crisis from perspectives of industry, growth, and operations. Finally, we’ll review some of the crisis-related issues that can arise when forming the crisis management team.

Crisis Management Lifecycle and the Resilience Analysis Grid

Crises events challenge leaders to navigate paradoxical conditions. In the context of a crisis lifecycle, leadership actions have direct impact on organizational resilience in relations to unanticipated disruptions. To handle disruptions and paradoxes, leaders must be flexible and adjust their course. In this module, you will learn more about the Resilience Analysis Grid as a tool for assessing the resilience of a system by estimating the constituent elements of the social-technical processes: sensing, anticipating, adapting, and learning.

Crisis Leadership and Communication

In this final module, we’ll discuss crisis communication. The critical role of current, accurate, and transparent communication with internal and external stakeholders is vital to preparation and recovery. Different styles of communication are needed in different situations to effectively deliver the intended message. We’ll also discuss how crisis events challenge leaders to navigate paradoxical conditions.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the application of systems concepts and perspectives, which are foundational for crisis management

Examines the critical characteristics of Crisis Management Teams (CMTs) and their members

Develops an understanding of resilience training, business, and organizational strategy

Introduces the Resilience Analysis Grid as a tool for assessing the resilience of a system

Discusses crisis leadership and communication, which play a vital role in preparation and recovery

Taught by John E. Thomas, an academic with expertise in engineering management and resilience

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Resilience & Leadership: Tools, Methods, & Applications with these activities:

Review Resilience Engineering

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Refresh your understanding of basic resilience engineering frameworks and concepts

Browse courses on Resilience Engineering

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Revisit course materials from previous courses on resilience engineering
Complete the course pre-assessment

Review the book Resilience Engineering: Concepts & Practice

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Gain in-depth knowledge of resilience engineering principles and best practices

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Read the book and take notes on key concepts
Summarize the main arguments and findings

Run disaster scenarios

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Practice applying the resilience engineering concepts you will learn in this course

Browse courses on Disaster Management

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Identify common disaster scenarios based on historical data
Develop detailed scenarios with specific parameters and objectives
Run the scenarios and document your responses, including actions taken, decisions made, and outcomes

Five other activities

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Participate in Study Group

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Engage with your peers to discuss course concepts and work on projects collaboratively

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Join a peer study group
Attend regular study sessions
Participate in group discussions and brainstorming

Participate in a crisis management simulation

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Test your crisis management skills in a realistic simulated environment

Browse courses on Crisis Management

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Identify and register for a relevant crisis management simulation
Prepare for the simulation by reviewing relevant materials
Participate in the simulation and take on a specific role

Create a communications plan

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Develop a comprehensive communications plan for a specific disaster scenario

Browse courses on Crisis Communication

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Identify stakeholders and their communication needs
Develop messages and communication channels
Create a communication schedule and protocol

Volunteer with a disaster relief organization

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Gain practical experience and contribute to the community by volunteering with an organization that responds to disasters

Browse courses on Disaster Relief

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Identify local disaster relief organizations
Inquire about volunteer opportunities and requirements
Participate in volunteer activities, such as disaster preparedness workshops or response operations

Develop a crisis management plan for your community

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Create a comprehensive crisis management plan that outlines strategies and procedures for responding to and recovering from emergencies in your community

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Identify potential hazards and risks facing your community
Develop detailed plans for responding to and recovering from each type of hazard
Identify resources and support systems available in your community
Communicate the plan to the community and stakeholders

Career center

Learners who complete Resilience & Leadership: Tools, Methods, & Applications will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Resilience Engineer

Resilience Engineers design and implement systems that are more resilient to disruptions. They work with organizations to identify and mitigate risks, and to develop plans for responding to and recovering from disruptions. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Resilience Engineer, such as how to assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

See salaries and explore the career path for Resilience Engineer

Emergency Manager

Emergency Managers develop and implement plans to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. They also work with other organizations to coordinate disaster response efforts. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role, such as how to assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

See salaries and explore the career path for Emergency Manager

Chief Resilience Officer

As a Chief Resilience Officer will lead the development and implementation of resilience strategies. They will also be responsible for coordinating with other departments to ensure that the organization is prepared for and can respond to any disruptions. This course will provide you with the tools and methods you need to be successful in this role, including how to assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Resilience Officer

Disaster Recovery Specialist

Disaster Recovery Specialists help organizations to recover from disasters. They work with other departments to develop and implement disaster recovery plans, and to coordinate recovery efforts. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Disaster Recovery Specialist, such as how to assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

See salaries and explore the career path for Disaster Recovery Specialist

Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify, assess, and mitigate risks to an organization. They work with other departments to develop and implement risk management plans. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Risk Manager, such as how to assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Crisis Communications Manager

Crisis Communications Managers develop and implement plans to communicate with the public during a crisis. They work with other departments to coordinate crisis communications efforts, and to ensure that the public is informed and updated during a crisis. This course can be helpful for Crisis Communications Managers, as it can help them develop the skills needed to assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

See salaries and explore the career path for Crisis Communications Manager

Business Continuity Planner

Business Continuity Planners develop and implement plans to ensure that an organization can continue to operate during and after a disruption. They work with other departments to identify critical business processes and to develop plans for restoring those processes in the event of a disruption. This course may be helpful for Business Continuity Planners, as it can help them develop the skills needed to assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Continuity Planner

Security Manager

Security Managers oversee the development and implementation of security plans. They work with other departments to coordinate security efforts, and to ensure that the public is safe. This course may be helpful for Security Managers, as it can help them develop the skills needed to assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Manager

Homeland Security Manager

Homeland Security Managers oversee the development and implementation of homeland security plans. They work with other departments to coordinate homeland security efforts, and to ensure that the public is safe. This course may be helpful for Homeland Security Managers, as it can help them develop the skills needed to assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

See salaries and explore the career path for Homeland Security Manager

Public Safety Director

Public Safety Directors oversee the development and implementation of public safety plans. They work with other departments to coordinate public safety efforts, and to ensure that the public is safe. This course may be helpful for Public Safety Directors, as it can help them develop the skills needed to assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

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Project Manager

Project Managers oversee the planning and execution of projects. They work with other departments to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course may be helpful for Project Managers, as it can help them develop the skills needed to assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of an organization. They work with other departments to ensure that the organization is running smoothly and efficiently. This course may be helpful for Operations Managers, as it can help them develop the skills needed to assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

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Program Manager

Program Managers oversee the planning and execution of programs. They work with other departments to ensure that programs are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course may be helpful for Program Managers, as it can help them develop the skills needed to assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain documentation for technical products and services. They work with other departments to ensure that documentation is accurate, clear, and concise. This course may be helpful for Technical Writers, as it can help them develop the skills needed to assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

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Consultant

Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of topics. They work with organizations to identify and solve problems, and to develop and implement solutions. This course may be helpful for Consultants, as it can help them develop the skills needed to assess the resilience of a complex system and create a crisis management plan.

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Resilience & Leadership

Tools, Methods, & Applications

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