A contingency plan specifies what will be done if a critical system, resource, or function is out of commission or disrupted. It is an action plan devised to address unexpected events that can negatively impact normal operations, ensuring timely and effective responses to minimize damage and restore functionality
. In particular, a contingency plan outlines the steps to be taken if a key system or component is unavailable or fails. For example, it specifies what will be done if a critical IT system is down, a key employee is lost, or a primary office location becomes inaccessible
. The plan includes detailed procedures, roles, responsibilities, and resources needed to recover from such disruptions
. Thus, the blank in the query can be filled as: A contingency plan specifies what will be done if a critical system (or resource, function, or component) is out of commission.
