Step IV Evaluate and select alternative
After actions to make the plan robust have been defined the alternatives are compared
based on pre-defined criteria which depends upon the nature of the project and has
been specified in Step I.
Step V Set up monitoring system for the selected alternative
The first element of the contingency plan is the identification of signposts for the srt
of vulnerabilities and opportunities specified in step III. Signposts specify
information that should be monitored in order to determine whether the plan is on
course to achieving success. Critical values of signpost variables (triggers) are
specified, beyond which actions should be taken to ensure that a plan keeps moving
the system in the right direction and at a proper speed. These actions are prepared for
in advance.
Step V Contingency planning (preparing trigger responses)
The plan is further expanded via contingency planning by including adaptive
elements. As long as the original plan objectives and constraints remain in place, the
responses to a trigger event have a defensive or corrective character—that is, they are
adjustments to the basic plan that preserve its benefits or meet outside challenges.
Under some circumstances, none of the actions might be sufficient to save the plan.
In that case, the entire plan might have to be reassessed and substantially changed or
even abandoned.outcomes or to increase the chances of positive outcomes.