Comprehensive Approach. Challenges and opportunities in complex crisis management

Abstract

This report discusses challenges related to the comprehensive approach in complex crisis management today. The first chapter conceptualises ‘comprehensive approach’ by developing categories and definitions of various kinds of interactions and between various kinds of actors. The second chapter discusses five topic areas that represent a challenge to achieving a comprehensive approach: conflicting values, principles and priorities; organisational and operational challenges; how to organise a comprehensive approach; the challenges of leadership and management; and the challenges of local ownership. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it includes important challenges that organisations attempting to engage in a comprehensive approach must heed. One of the conclusions is that a successful comprehensive approach requires increased organisational flexibility but also basic things like appropriate leadership, and reduction of prejudices and cultural barriers across the range of actors engaged in crisis management.