Left of Bang Presentation Toolkit
First, thank you for the opportunity to speak with you about what it takes to get left of bang. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the challenges you face every day—and I hope something in the presentation sparked a new idea or helped reinforce your commitment to preparing for what’s next.
At The CP Journal, we exist to support leaders like you who are building organizations ready for anything. Our mission is to make practical, accessible, and operationally useful resources available to those working on the front lines of uncertainty—so you don’t have to figure it out alone.
This toolkit was created to bring together the topics referenced in the talk to help you put the ideas into action.
Left of Bang Toolkit and Resources
Since Left of Bang (the book) was published, the threats facing communities have shifted—and so has how the core concepts are applied.
This article explores the evolution of the methodology and its continued relevance today.
From the Introduction
Fortune Favors The Prepared | A story of a Roman general and the enduring power of preparation. Learn how leaders who embrace uncertainty gain an edge—and why readiness, not prediction, separates the successful from the surprised.
Learn the Threat Recognition Framework
🔒The Tactical Analysis Course | This course bring the behaviors from Left of Bang to life with over 16 hours of instruction and 40+ practical exercises. Learn how to assess human behavior, recognize threats early, and make faster, more informed decisions.
From 6 Domains To 4 Pillars | Why we evolved our framework from the "six domains" to the "four pillars." We share how thousands of students' feedback led to a more intuitive, effective approach to behavioral assessment—making these skills more operational and practical in real-world settings.
Build Organizational Readiness
Moving Your Organization Left of Bang | Getting blindsided by events—whether it’s a missed opportunity or a costly surprise—frustrates even the most patient executives. This article introduces the “Rumsfeld Matrix,” a tool to map uncertainty and improve strategic foresight. Use it to clarify planning blind spots and decision thresholds.
🔒The Watch Office | Each week, we deliver a concise, intelligence-driven situation report covering Southern California and the Bay Area. Designed for public safety leaders, these reports help you ground plans in current threat conditions.
Know Your Gaps Before Disaster Strikes | A simple framework to help your agency evaluate its capabilities before the next incident. This 5-step guide helps you identify where you're vulnerable—and how to strengthen your response systems
When Every Second Counts | Written with severe weather in mind, this article explores how to quantify your “time to decision” and “time to action.” A must-read for leaders looking to integrate the two most important left of bang metrics to manage dynamic threats in fast-moving environments.
Turn Strategy Into Action
The Organization You Want Can Be the One You Have | There’s no shortcut to being prepared—but there is a method. Learn the five core capabilities of resilient, adaptive organizations and how to begin building them today.
Work With The CP Journal | We support public safety teams with projects focused on preparedness, decision-making, and proactive leadership. This page outlines our consulting work and how to explore whether we're a fit for your next initiative.