Fallout more than ash.

The impact of the "hazard event" has dramatically grounded planes and disrupted passenger services and supply chains. Companies and countries have communicated poorly and their reputations have been tarnished. Good lessons in crisis management - but better ones about a core principle of business continuity.

Too often people plan for hazard events - indeed they have plans for fire, flood, pandemic etc. They then wonder why it does not work on the day. Too much detail about a particular and specific scenario.

Better to map the layer of the hazard over your vulnerable assets (people, lifelines etc). Then decide: What does this mean? To whom? By when? Make your communications to and with those who have an interest in the risks and therefore, in a collaborative management system. The impact map is the "kickstart" - the assets are what you care about.