Lesson Element
Unit 3: Business decisions
LO5: Be able to use resource, project and
change management information to inform
business decisions
Contingency planning
Instructions and answers for tutors
These instructions cover the learner activity section which can be found on page 4. This
Lesson Element supports Cambridge Technicals Level 3 in Business.
When distributing the activity section to the learners either as a printed copy or as a
Word file you will need to remove the tutor instructions section.
The activity
The idea behind this activity is for learners to plan an event and then to understand the
importance of having contingencies in place, just in case something goes wrong. Learners
can work in groups of 3 or 4.
Suggested timing
1–2 hours
ABC – This activity offers an
opportunity for English skills
development.
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WORK – This activity offers
an opportunity for work
experience.
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© OCR 2016
Task 1
Ask learners to plan one of the following fundraising events:
 disco for Year 7
 cake sale
 car wash
 sponsored silence.
You could give learners a more expansive task such as organising a business breakfast or a
school/college event such as an awards evening.
Learners should produce a plan that sets out:
 which event they have chosen
 group members
 how their event is going to happen
 when it is going to happen – date and time
 who is going to be doing what
 what equipment will be needed
 what finance – upfront – is required
 what charity is going to receive the profits.
At this point it is worth getting the learners’ initial thoughts by asking the question ‘what could
go wrong’? In terms of personnel, weather, unpredicted events, etc.
Task 2
Ask learners to investigate what is meant by the expression ‘contingency plan’. These links
might help:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contingency_plan
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_51.htm
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF8#q=contingency+planning+case+study+eurostar – then download
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF8#q=contingency+planning+case+study+city+of+derry+airport – then download
http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-contingency-planning-in-business-definitionexample-importance.html
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Task 3
Once learners have come up with the plan and understand what a contingency plan is and
why it is important to have one, they should look at each part of the plan – identify what
could possibly go wrong and have a plan B or contingency in place. This will need to be
discussed and then presented to the rest of the group.
Learners should then build in some contingencies at each stage of their plan – that is, to
have a plan B. They should explain why each contingency is important and what eventuality
is being covered by each.
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© OCR 2016
Lesson Element
Unit 3: Business decisions
LO5: Be able to use resource, project and
change management information to inform
business decisions
Learner Activity
Contingency planning
You will be working in groups of 3 or 4 to plan a fundraising event.
Task 1
You have been asked to plan one of the following fundraising events:
 Disco for Year 7
 Cake sale
 Car wash
 Sponsored silence.
Produce a plan to show:
 Which event you have chosen
 Group members
 How your event is going to happen
 When it is going to happen – date and time
 Who is going to be doing what
 What equipment you need
 What finance – upfront – you need
 What charity you are going to donate profits to.
Think about what could possibly go wrong with your plan – in terms of personnel, weather,
unpredicted events, etc. Make sure you record these on your plan somewhere.
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© OCR 2016
Task 2
Investigate what is meant by the expression ‘contingency plan’.
These websites might help:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contingency_plan
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_51.htm
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF8#q=contingency+planning+case+study+eurostar – then download
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF8#q=contingency+planning+case+study+city+of+derry+airport – then download
http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-contingency-planning-in-business-definitionexample-importance.html
Task 3
At each stage of your plan, build in some contingencies – have a plan B. Explain why each
contingency is important and what eventuality is being covered by each. Present your
findings to the whole group.
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