Risk Statement
A resilience plan defines the property and operations being protected, the desired performance, the sequence of actions, the accountable owners and the evidence needed to confirm that controls remain ready.
Commercial & institutional resilience
A building resilience plan turns flood-risk findings into owned, funded and testable actions.
Build a commercial flood resilience plan that aligns site controls, building systems, maintenance, emergency response, continuity and capital priorities.
- Ontario depth
- Canada-wide learning
- Standards-informed
- Risk reduction, not guarantees
The practical answer
Start with the property, the operations and the consequence.
A resilience plan defines the property and operations being protected, the desired performance, the sequence of actions, the accountable owners and the evidence needed to confirm that controls remain ready.
System view
Four areas that should be reviewed together
Each area needs a defined purpose, owner, evidence trail and review cycle.
Target Performance
A resilience plan defines the property and operations being protected, the desired performance, the sequence of actions, the accountable owners and the evidence needed to confirm that controls remain ready.
Action Portfolio
A resilience plan defines the property and operations being protected, the desired performance, the sequence of actions, the accountable owners and the evidence needed to confirm that controls remain ready.
Governance And Review
A resilience plan defines the property and operations being protected, the desired performance, the sequence of actions, the accountable owners and the evidence needed to confirm that controls remain ready.
Guidance 1
Risk Statement
A resilience plan defines the property and operations being protected, the desired performance, the sequence of actions, the accountable owners and the evidence needed to confirm that controls remain ready.
For this topic, the organization should approve scope and risk tolerance. The decision should be recorded with the responsible owner, evidence used, limitations, review date and any need for qualified technical, legal, insurance or municipal advice.
Commercial resilience depends on connected decisions. Building systems, site drainage, occupancy, maintenance, emergency response, continuity and capital planning should not be evaluated as isolated programmes.
Guidance 2
Target Performance
A resilience plan defines the property and operations being protected, the desired performance, the sequence of actions, the accountable owners and the evidence needed to confirm that controls remain ready.
For this topic, the organization should define critical functions and performance objectives. The decision should be recorded with the responsible owner, evidence used, limitations, review date and any need for qualified technical, legal, insurance or municipal advice.
Commercial resilience depends on connected decisions. Building systems, site drainage, occupancy, maintenance, emergency response, continuity and capital planning should not be evaluated as isolated programmes.
Guidance 3
Action Portfolio
A resilience plan defines the property and operations being protected, the desired performance, the sequence of actions, the accountable owners and the evidence needed to confirm that controls remain ready.
For this topic, the organization should separate immediate, maintenance, investigation and capital actions. The decision should be recorded with the responsible owner, evidence used, limitations, review date and any need for qualified technical, legal, insurance or municipal advice.
Commercial resilience depends on connected decisions. Building systems, site drainage, occupancy, maintenance, emergency response, continuity and capital planning should not be evaluated as isolated programmes.
Implementation workflow
Move from concern to governed action
A useful commercial workflow identifies decisions, accountabilities and verification rather than producing an isolated report.
- 1
Approve Scope And Risk Tolerance
Assign an accountable owner, document the evidence and define what completion and verification will look like.
- 2
Define Critical Functions And Performance Objectives
Assign an accountable owner, document the evidence and define what completion and verification will look like.
- 3
Separate Immediate, Maintenance, Investigation And Capital Actions
Assign an accountable owner, document the evidence and define what completion and verification will look like.
- 4
Assign Owners, Dates And Funding Decisions
Assign an accountable owner, document the evidence and define what completion and verification will look like.
- 5
Implement And Document Controls
Assign an accountable owner, document the evidence and define what completion and verification will look like.
- 6
Exercise, Verify And Update The Plan
Assign an accountable owner, document the evidence and define what completion and verification will look like.
Readiness check
Use this page as a working review
Selections are stored only in this browser session and are not submitted to RSM.
0 of 6items reviewed
Common failure points
Avoid incomplete planning
- Creating A Report With No Action Owners
- Separating Response Planning From Building Systems
- Buying Equipment Without Maintenance Or Training
- Treating The First Issue As A Finished Plan
Connected pathways
Continue with the next useful decision
Frequently asked questions
Questions organizations commonly ask
Who approves the plan?
Approval should match organizational governance and normally involve ownership, facilities, risk, finance, safety and professional advisors.
Must every action be funded immediately?
No. The plan should distinguish urgent controls, investigation, maintenance and phased capital work.
Should it include tenants?
Yes when shared systems, access, storage or communications affect readiness.
Is it a compliance certificate?
No. Legal, code, permit and professional requirements remain with the applicable authority and qualified parties.
Official source basis
Use current public and professional requirements
RSM summarizes concepts for education. Confirm design, legal, insurance, code, permit, funding and emergency requirements with the responsible authority or qualified professional.
Next step
Turn commercial flood-resilience knowledge into an owned programme.
Connect the building, site, people, records and investment decisions through one accountable pathway.
Published: July 19, 2026 Last reviewed: July 19, 2026
Prepared by Regional Stormwater Management for public and professional education. RSM does not certify buildings, guarantee flood prevention, determine insurance coverage or replace engineering, legal, municipal or emergency advice.
Next steps
Build the property resilience pathway
Connect this topic to assessment, planning, maintenance and organizational learning.