Step II Identify uncertainties (vulnerabilities and uncertainties) in a plan
If the development is in the favour of the plan, it is called an opportunity; otherwise,
it is called a vulnerability. These vulnerabilities and opportunities in a plan (or
alternatives) are identified. This requires examining the impacts of plausible
developments that could occur in the lifetime of a plan to assess if they could cause
the plan to fail.
Step III Increasing the flexibility and robustness of each alternative
The robustness of the plan is increased by specifying actions to be in relation to the
vulnerabilities (and opportunities) identified in step II. There are four different types
of actions that can be taken in advance in anticipation of specific contingencies or
expected effects of a plan in order to make it more robust. Mitigating actions and
hedging actions prepare the plan for potential adverse effects and in this way try to
make the plan more robust. Seizing actions are actions taken now to change the plan
in order to seize available opportunities. In contrast, shaping actions are pro-active
and aim at affecting external forces in order to reduce the chances of negative
outcomes or to increase the chances of positive outcomes.