Implementing crisis decisions beyond instructions: Lessons from implementation theory

Crisis decision-making in government requires professional conduct at all layers of public administration. Assuming implementation as a matter of merely following the instructions implicitly laid out in a formal policy document will not do. Alternatively, providing explicit instructions for implementation in a crisis situation is not sufficient either. Appropriate implementation requires political-administrative attention during and before managing an actual crisis. In the heat of a crisis it is crucial that heads of government clearly communicate their decisions as political messages. Having organized proper channels of coordination is also important. The institutionalization of standard operating procedures functional for a proper crisis response needs to be addressed, particularly before the next crisis occurs. The same goes for enhancing internalized professionalism in public service on the ground floor of the state. Top-down political attention to implementation therefore entails more as well as less than giving instructions in a crisis situation.