Situationsübersicht

Situationsübersicht is a German term meaning "situation overview" or "situational overview," used to describe a concise summary of current conditions, risks and resources relevant to an incident, operation or decision. The concept is widely applied in emergency services, military and police command, crisis and disaster management, event planning and business continuity.

A Situationsübersicht typically includes a brief description of the incident, location and time, known hazards, affected populations or assets, available and required resources, operational priorities and immediate actions. Visual elements such as maps, status boards or dashboards often accompany the text to improve situational awareness. The document or briefing is intended to support rapid, informed decision-making by providing a shared common picture for commanders, coordinators and stakeholders.

Creation and maintenance emphasize accuracy, timeliness and clarity; updates occur as new information arrives from field reports, sensors, communications networks and intelligence sources. Modern implementations use digital tools—geographic information systems (GIS), computer-aided dispatch (CAD), real-time dashboards and mobile reporting—to integrate data streams and present a coherent overview. Interoperability and standardized formats are important when multiple agencies cooperate.

Limitations include incomplete or conflicting information, cognitive overload from excessive detail, and dependency on communications infrastructure. Effective Situationsübersicht practices balance comprehensiveness with brevity and are paired with clear assignment of responsibilities and regular reassessment to guide operational response.