Business startup template
Risk and crisis plan template
Prepare for disruptions by listing business risks, likely impacts, prevention steps, emergency contacts, and backup options before a crisis happens.
What this template is for
Use this template to think ahead about what could interrupt your business and what you will do if it happens. A simple risk plan can protect income, customers, and stock.
Who should use it
- Small businesses that depend on stock deliveries, seasonal demand, or one key person.
- Traders and service providers who need backup communication or supplier options.
- Businesses that want to be more ready for emergencies or unstable market periods.
Before you start
- Think about the last 12 months and list the disruptions that already affected your business.
- Identify the people, suppliers, or equipment your business depends on most.
- Collect current contact numbers for suppliers, customers, helpers, and emergency support.
The template
Use the sections below as a worksheet. You can print this page or copy the headings into a notebook, document, or spreadsheet.
Main business risks
Start by naming the risks that are most realistic for your business.
| Section item | What to write | Your notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business risk | What risk could affect your business? | |
| What could happen | What would the problem look like in real life? | |
| Likely impact | How serious would the impact be on income, stock, or customers? |
Prevention steps
List the actions that reduce the chance of the risk happening or reduce the damage.
| Section item | What to write | Your notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prevention action | What can you do now to reduce this risk? | |
| Who will check it | Who is responsible for this prevention step? | |
| Review frequency | How often will you review this risk? |
Response plan
Decide what you will do if the problem happens anyway.
| Section item | What to write | Your notes |
|---|---|---|
| First response | What is the first thing you will do? | |
| Customer communication | How will you inform customers or partners? | |
| Recovery step | What helps the business return to normal faster? |
Emergency contacts and backups
Keep essential names and alternatives in one place.
| Section item | What to write | Your notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency contacts | Which key phone numbers should be ready? | |
| Backup suppliers | Who else can supply you if the main supplier fails? | |
| Backup communication methods | If one channel fails, what will you use instead? |
Crisis review
Decide how you will learn from a disruption after it happens.
| Section item | What to write | Your notes |
|---|---|---|
| What happened | What actually happened during the crisis? | |
| What worked | Which response steps helped most? | |
| What must change | What should be improved before the next disruption? |
Example for a Dzaleka small business
Limbikani Beauty Corner is a hair and beauty services. A beauty service provider wants to plan for supply shortages, illness, and phone network disruption.
Main risks
- Risk: hair product supplier delays restocking for two weeks.
- Impact: popular services cannot be delivered on time and customers go elsewhere.
- Risk: owner becomes ill and cannot work for several days.
Prevention and response
- Keep one backup supplier for braiding hair and treatment products.
- Maintain a short list of trusted assistants who can cover simple appointments.
- Message booked customers immediately if delays happen and offer a new time.
Backups and contacts
- Emergency contacts include the main supplier, backup supplier, assistant, and top repeat customers.
- Backup communication methods include SMS if WhatsApp data is unavailable.
- Review this plan at the start of every month.