NCCAP Activities Director Practice Test

A contingency plan is a broad, written plan that lays out what should be done when something unexpected occurs, and it is designed to stay in line with the organization’s policies and procedures. It sets out overarching actions, who is responsible, what resources are needed, and the sequence of steps to respond, minimize impact, and recover. This makes it the best fit for describing a plan that specifies actions in alignment with existing policies.

A policy is a general rule or principle guiding decisions, not a detailed set of actions for specific events. An operational plan focuses on the day-to-day activities needed to run programs under normal conditions, translating strategic goals into routine tasks rather than addressing contingencies. Delegation is about assigning authority and responsibility, not outlining a plan of action.