Introduction

The [Exercise Name] is designed to establish a learning environment for participants to exercise their plans and procedures for responding to a [type of incident]. The [Exercise Name] will be conducted on [Date], beginning at [Time]. Exercise is scheduled for [Exercise Duration] or until the plan owner determines that the exercise’s objectives have been met.

To ensure an effective exercise, plan owners, business continuity management facilitator(s) and subject matter experts will need to participate in the planning process, implementation, and evaluation.

Exercise Overview

Exercise Name [Insert the formal name of exercise]
Exercise Date [Indicate the date of the exercise]
Scope This exercise is a [exercise type], planned for [exercise duration] at [exercise location].
Objectives [List exercise objectives]
Core Capabilities [List the core capabilities being exercised]
Exercise Area(s) [Prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and/or recovery]
Threat or Hazard [List the threat or hazard (e.g. natural/human-made events, data loss, security breaches, technological failure, loss of essential utility)]
Scenario [Insert a brief overview of the exercise scenario, including scenario impacts (2-3 sentences)]
Sponsor [Insert the name of the sponsor department/organization, if applicable]
Participating

Departments/ Organizations

 [Insert names of participating departments and participation level. Consider including names of external agencies, if applicable]
Point of Contact [Insert the name and contact details of the primary exercise Point of Contact (e.g., plan owner, business continuity management facilitator or exercise sponsor)]

The procedures in this document can be used to plan exercises in response to an incident with a disruptive consequence impacting business operations and people’s safety.

Purpose and Assumptions

Purpose

The purpose of this exercise is to evaluate participants’ actions against existing continuity plans and capabilities for a [type of incident] response and recovery.

Assumptions

Assumptions are the facts we believe to be present before the exercise starts. The following general assumptions apply to this exercise:

  • The exercise will be conducted in a no-fault learning environment where systems and processes, not individuals, will be evaluated.
  • Exercise simulation will be realistic and plausible and contain sufficient detail from which participants can respond.
  • Exercise participants will react to information and situations as they are presented, in the same manner as if the simulated incident were real.
  • Technology applications and infrastructure supporting the process/procedure to be tested are
  • All external service providers supporting services will be available during the disruption.

Exercise Objectives and Core Capabilities

The table below describes the objectives, core capabilities, and expected outcomes of the exercise. These objectives are linked to the core capabilities necessary to achieve the overall purpose of the exercise. The exercise planning team will determine these objectives, which should align with core capabilities and expected action/outcome.

 Exercise Objective Core Capability Expected Action/Outcome
[Insert objectives] [Insert core capability aligned to each objective] [Insert the intended action or outcome of each objective]
Assess the organization’s ability to resume critical functions within a reasonable timeline  Availability of key people To resume all critical functions with minimal or no impact on the organization 

Exercise Rules

The following general rules govern exercises:

  • Real-world emergency actions take priority over exercise actions.
  • Exercise participants will comply with real-world response procedures unless otherwise directed by the control staff.
  • All communications (e.g., written, email, telephone) during the exercise will begin and end with the statement “This is an exercise.”

Communication Requirements and Procedures

The exercise is scheduled to run for [Exercise Duration] or until the controller/facilitator determines that objectives have been met. The controller or facilitator will announce the start of the exercise and exercise suspension or termination through the selected communications network.

All spoken and written communications will start and end with the statement “This is an exercise.”

Internal Communication

All requested internal communication on the exercise shall be through the controller or facilitator to the participants.

Participants will use routine, in-place department communication systems. Additional communication assets may be made available as the exercise progresses. The need to maintain the capability for a real-world response may preclude the use of certain communication channels or systems that would usually be available during an actual disruption.

External Communication

If you receive any simulated request for information from the media, please contact your organization’s communications personnel (if any) or a management member who can provide guidance on a media response.

Only identified personnel should grant the media an interview.

Participants Details

Personnel Name Department/Area Role in Exercise Contact Number(s)
[Name of Staff] [Department/Area] [Title] [Contact Number(s)]

Exercise Identification (if applicable)

Exercise participants may wear vests and/or badges for easy identification of their roles in the exercise. Additionally, participating external agencies may wear uniform clothing to show agency affiliation. The table below describes these identification items.

Group Colour
Facilitator
Controllers
Evaluators
Simulators
Support Staff
Observers
Media
Others

Vendor Contacts (if any). During an incident or operational disruption, it is essential to have the details of vendors supporting critical functions.

Name of Vendor Type of Services Vendor Contact Name Contact Number(s)
[Name of Vendor] [Services] [Vendor Contact Name] [Contact Number(s)]

Post-Exercise and Evaluation Activities.

Post-Exercise Activity Timeframe Personnel Contact Number(s)
[Type of Post-Exercise Activity] [Due date] [Name of the Lead] [Contact Number(s)]
 Deliverable from the exercise – For example, ensure the delivery trucks are serviced  October 20, 2025  James Edwards  431-333-3333

Participants Guidance

Players should follow certain guidelines before, during, and after the exercise to ensure safety and effectiveness.

 Before the Exercise

  • Review appropriate plans, procedures, and exercise support documents.
  • Be at the appropriate venue at least 30 minutes before the exercise starts. Wear the appropriate uniform and identification item(s) (if applicable).
  • Sign in when you arrive.
  • If you gain knowledge of the scenario before the exercise, notify a facilitator so that appropriate actions can be taken to ensure a valid evaluation.
  • Read information on exercise safety.

 During the Exercise

  • Respond to exercise events and information as if the emergency were real unless otherwise directed by an exercise controller.
  • Controllers will give you only information they are specifically directed to disseminate. Obtain other necessary information through existing emergency information channels.
  • Do not engage in personal conversations. If you are asked an exercise-related question, give a short, concise answer. If you are busy and cannot immediately respond, indicate that, but report back with an answer as soon as possible.
  • If you do not understand the scope of the exercise, or if you are uncertain about an organization’s participation in an exercise, ask a controller.
  • Parts of the scenario may seem implausible. Recognize that the exercise has objectives to satisfy and may require incorporating unrealistic aspects. Efforts have been made to balance realism with safety and to create an effective learning and evaluation environment.
  • All exercise communications will begin and end with the statement [“This is an exercise.”]. This precaution ensures exercise play is not mistaken for a real emergency.
  • Speak when you take an action. This procedure will ensure that evaluators are aware of critical actions as they occur.
  • Maintain a log of your activities. This log may include documentation of activities that the controller or evaluator missed.

 After the Exercise

  • Participate in the debrief session.
  • Complete the participant feedback form. This form allows you to comment candidly on emergency response activities and exercise effectiveness.
  • Provide any notes or materials generated from the exercise to your controller or evaluator for review and inclusion in the exercise report.