Author: Owen Miles, VP Solutions Engineering EMEA at Restrata
Date: 6 Nov 2025
Blog Series: ‘Miles to Go’ – Exploring the foundations of resilience & continuity
#11 – The Resilience Gap: Where Most Organisations Fall Short
The Resilience Gap: Where Most Organisations Fall Short
Most organisations believe they’re prepared for disruption. They have plans, teams, and tools. They’ve ticked the boxes, passed the audits, and held the occasional tabletop exercise. But when a real crisis hits, many discover a gap – a disconnect between what they think they can do and what they actually can.
This gap is rarely about intent. It’s about assumptions.
Assuming people will know what to do.
Assuming systems will work as designed.
Assuming the crisis will follow a predictable path.
Assuming the plan will be followed under pressure.
These assumptions are comforting – but they’re risky. And they often go unchallenged until it’s too late.
I’ve seen organisations with robust documentation falter because no one had rehearsed the plan. I’ve seen teams hesitate because roles weren’t clearly defined. I’ve seen systems fail because they hadn’t been tested under real-world conditions. And I’ve seen leaders surprised by how quickly a manageable incident spiralled into a full-blown crisis.
The resilience gap isn’t just operational – it’s cultural. It’s the difference between having a plan and having a mindset. Between knowing what to do and being ready to do it. Between theory and execution.
Closing the gap requires honesty. It means asking hard questions:
- When was the last time we tested our plan?
- Do our teams know their roles without referencing a document?
- Are our systems integrated, or are we relying on manual workarounds?
- Have we planned for the unexpected – not just the likely?
It also requires humility. The willingness to admit that readiness is not a fixed state, but a continuous process. That resilience isn’t built once – it’s built over time, through practice, reflection, and refinement.
The organisations that succeed are the ones that challenge their assumptions, test their plans, and build redundancy. They treat resilience as a living capability – not a static checklist.
Because when the moment comes, you won’t get a second chance to close the gap.
Call to Action: Identify one assumption in your current plan – and challenge it. What happens if it fails? Use that insight to close the gap.
Next Week: We’ll challenge the illusion of readiness – and explore why confidence doesn’t always equal capability.