Continuity planning primarily addresses which risk in governance?

• A. Succession risk
• B. Market risk
• C. Reputational risk
• D. Compliance risk

Answer: (A)

Continuity planning focuses on ensuring leadership and core governance processes stay intact when disruptions occur. Its primary concern is succession risk—the risk that the organization loses a key leader or other critical roles without ready replacements, which could paralyze decision-making and strategy execution. By mapping critical positions, identifying potential successors, and putting in place interim arrangements and drills, boards and executives can maintain continuity and uphold fiduciary responsibilities despite unexpected departures. Market risk, reputational risk, and compliance risk are important governance concerns, but they are not the central target of continuity planning; those risks are typically addressed through other frameworks and controls. Therefore, continuity planning is most closely linked to mitigating succession risk.