Evaluation of Swedish Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency Crisis Management during Corona Pandemic

The Swedish Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency, is an expert authority in the total defence area, whose main objectives are staffing support and personnel supply. This evaluation is carried out on behalf of the Conscription and Assessment Agency, aiming for the government agency to be better prepared for future crisis. The Conscription and Assessment Agency handling of the coronavirus pandemic was initially based on precautionary action. Gradually the agency approached the attitude of those primarily supported and supplied, the Swedish Armed Forces and the Police Authority. An attitude where the agency's main objectives justified a higher risk-taking. Lessons identified from the Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency management of the pandemic are that capabilities can be strengthen related to common situational picture and developing alternative actions. Furthermore, planning together with other agencies is necessary to prioritize between objectives in the event of reduced personnel supply capacity. There is a need to evaluate the current crisis management organization in crisis management exercises. The awareness present at the agency, for the different characters future crises might have, is an awareness to infuse in planning, training and exercises for crisis management. Lessons from the pandemic to consolidate are an internal understanding for how different departments' activities are intertwined as well as the value of documentation and communication. The handling of the pandemic has also contributed to a common understanding both intra- and interagency of the value attributed to the Conscription and Assessment Agency objectives related to personnel supply.