Management in Crises and Difficult Situations Course in Doha, Qatar

Management in Crises and Difficult Situations prepares leaders to respond calmly and effectively when normal operations are disrupted, whether by an operational incident, a reputational issue, a sudden loss of key resources or an intense internal conflict. The course covers the crisis management lifecycle from preparedness and early warning to response, recovery and learning. It also addresses the human side of crises: decision-making under stress, supporting affected staff and maintaining trust.

The course is scenario-based. Participants work in crisis management teams through a developing simulation, practice decision-making with incomplete information, draft holding statements and briefings, and review their performance in a structured debrief. Business continuity concepts aligned with ISO 22301 are introduced to link crisis response with organizational resilience. The course can also be delivered as an in-house program with scenarios built around an organization's own risk profile.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish between incidents, emergencies and crises and their escalation paths

• Establish crisis management team roles, structures and protocols

• Make sound decisions under pressure and with incomplete information

• Plan and deliver clear crisis communication to staff, media and stakeholders

• Link crisis response with business continuity and recovery planning

• Manage difficult people and emotionally charged situations calmly

This course is for leaders and specialists who may need to manage or support the response to crises and difficult situations.

• Senior and middle managers

• Members of crisis management or emergency response teams

• Risk, business continuity and HSE professionals

• Corporate communications and public relations staff

• Operations and facility managers

Module 1: Understanding Crises

• Incidents, emergencies and crises defined

• Types of crisis: operational, reputational, financial, people

• The crisis management lifecycle

• Early warning signs and risk scanning

Module 2: Preparedness and the Crisis Team

• Crisis management plans and escalation criteria

• Crisis team roles, structure and activation

• Business continuity principles and ISO 22301 overview

• Exercises and testing of crisis plans

Module 3: Leading the Response

• Situational awareness and information management

• Decision-making under pressure and uncertainty

• Prioritizing people, assets, environment and reputation

• Avoiding common cognitive traps in crises

Module 4: Crisis Communication

• Principles of timely, accurate and consistent communication

• Holding statements and key messages

• Communicating with staff, families and stakeholders

• Media and social media considerations

Module 5: Difficult Situations, Recovery and Learning

• Managing conflict and emotionally charged situations

• Supporting staff wellbeing after a crisis

• Recovery planning and return to normal operations

• Post-crisis debriefs and lessons learned

Organizations in Qatar operate critical infrastructure, energy facilities, transport networks, healthcare services and major venues where disruption can have serious consequences. Experience of hosting large international events and managing regional and global disruptions has highlighted the value of preparedness, coordinated response and clear communication. Leaders trained in crisis management help organizations protect people, operations and reputation, and strengthen the resilience that underpins Qatar's long-term development goals.

Join a scheduled class at our training center in Doha or attend live online. For organizations, the course can run as an in-house program at your premises or online, tailored to your sector, case studies and timetable.