The first issue is to recognise the situation for what it is and what it might become. They need to determine if the situation is serious, or if they believe that it will resolve itself. Is it something that could damage the bottom line, or jeopardise positive public image, or cause close media or government scrutiny? If they determine that it could damage the organisation, they need to take appropriate action.
Where most managers fail, is in not recognising the seriousness of a problem. In such a case, the pre-crisis situation will move to the acute-crisis stage.
The goal of a crisis management plan is to prepare managers to recognise that a pre-crisis situation exists.