Devolution Planning Introduction

Before we begin this lesson review the following key points from Lesson 1.

  • Devolution is the capability to transfer statutory authority and responsibility for essential functions from an organization’s primary operating staff and facilities to other organization employees and facilities, and to sustain that operational capability for an extended period.
  • The Devolution plan is activated when an organization’s facility, staff, or both are not available, and the performance of essential functions must be completed by different personnel at another facility.

Also, remember, FCD 1 (https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/accessibility-privacy-coop-files/January2017FCD1-2.pdf) requires all Federal Executive Branch Departments and Agencies to develop a devolution plan.

Lesson Objectives

At the completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

  1. Identify the special considerations required for devolution planning during continuity plan activation and in catastrophic circumstances.
  2. Determine the devolution requirements needed to meet your organization's requirements for devolution.
Devolution and Continuity Planning

It's important for you to be aware that the potential for devolution will have an effect on continuity planning. For example, devolution will require:

  • At least one individual in each order of succession for all key positions must be at the devolution site.
  • Access to vital records at the devolution site. Measures must be taken to ensure that vital records and databases are current at the devolution site and to ensure that up-to-date vital records and databases can be transferred to an organization's primary facility when the emergency ends.
  • Additional training and/or cross-training for staff at the devolution site. The devolution staff may be less skilled and may have to assume positions that they do not perform regularly. Training should include "smart" books, decision matrixes, etc. Periodic tests should be conducted to ensure that the transfer of essential functions works as required.
Devolution and Continuity Planning (continued)

At this point you will need to consider any differences required in overall continuity planning based on the potential requirement for devolution.

To do this, consider your organization's continuity planning processes and how those processes may be affected by the need to devolve.

Use the Devolution Planning Processes Worksheet Template to help you identify these differences/processes.

Select this link to view a thoroughly completed Devolution Planning Processes Worksheet.

Devolution Template

The Devolution Template (https://www.fema.gov/pdf/about/org/ncp/dev_template.pdf) was developed by FEMA's Continuity of Operations Division, National Continuity Programs Directorate to assist Federal departments and agencies and State, territorial, tribal, local jurisdictions in developing their devolution plans.

View an example of a completed devolution plan.

Note: Select both links above to compare and contrast the completed devolution plan with the template.

Devolution Template Organization

The information below identifies the basic organization of the devolution template.

  1. The Introduction includes the purpose, organization, objectives, applicability and scope, assumptions, supersession, authorities, references, responsibilities, and definitions used in the plan.
  2. The Concept of Operations section includes the disruption to agency operations, devolution scenarios, relationship between COOP and DEVOP, DEVOP threat conditions and potential responses, DEVOP site, DEVOP activation conditions, assumption of HQ essential functions, and delegations of authority and orders of succession.
  3. The Organization and Responsibilities section includes responsibilities of the organization’s DEVOP Working Group (DWG), responsibilities of the DEVOP Response Group (DRG), and organization.
A graphic with a red section titled Introduction, an orange section titled Concept of Operation, and a yellow section titled Organization and Responsibilities.
Devolution Template Organization (continued)
  1. The DEVOP Implementation section includes actions required during each phase of activation.
  2. The Support Requirements section includes personnel, vital records and databases, prepositioned information, telecommunications and information systems support, TT&E, and security.
  3. Five Appendixes are included at the back of the Template:
    • Appendix A: Essential Functions
    • Appendix B: Resource Requirements
    • Appendix C: Devolution of Operations Sites
    • Appendix D: Devolution Counterparts
    • Appendix E: Acronyms

Note: The Devolution Template is a guide to devolution planning that correlates to FCD 1. Following the Template will help ensure that you consider everything you need when planning for devolution.

A graphic with a green section titled DEVOP Implementation, a blue section titled Support Requirements, and a purple section titled Appendixes.
What the Devolution Template Is Not

The Devolution Template is not:

  • "Fill-in-the-blanks" form.
  • Guaranteed to be a perfect fit for every organization's devolution requirements.

Read the Template carefully to identify areas that require revision or rewriting to fit your organization's devolution requirements.

Make any revisions necessary to make the Template work for your organization.

Summary and Transition

Now that you have completed this lesson, you should be able to:

  1. Identify the special considerations required for devolution planning during continuity plan activation and in catastrophic circumstances.
  2. Tailor the Devolution Template to meet your organization's requirements for devolution.

In Lesson 4 you will review a simulated attack activity.