What are problems? Problems are visible and invisible

hurdles encountered on the way to achieving goals. Figuratively, a problem

within an organization plays a similar role as pain does within the human body.

Both the problem and the pain signal that something is not right (in either the

organization or the body) and that this has to be recognized and diagnosed in

time for the application of appropriate treatment. Problems, just like illnesses

have to be dealt with in a timely way and not “swept under the carpet” and ignored.

Incidents are, however, the consequences of problems that have not been resolved

in a timely and adequate manner. What then is a crisis? Simply put, a crisis is

most often the result of accumulated problems and incidents that have not been

successfully resolved in such a timely manner.

A crisis calls into question the overall sustainability of the organization, the fate

of its employees, the competitiveness of its processes, products and services, and

in particular, its reputation. Therefore, it is essential that preventive action on

problems and incidents are undertaken before they grow into a crisis. In order to

achieve this, it is important, among other things, to understand the conceptual

and practical relationship between problems, incidents and crises, as well as their

key characteristics.