University of the Cumberlands BP’s Response to the Deepwater Horizon Spill: Evaluation and Comparison to Crisis Management Principles

Research how BP initially handled the Gulf oil spill when the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform exploded in April 2010.  Specifically, note how the company dealt with the clean-up process, those directly impacted by the spill (individuals, businesses, local and state governments), the federal government, and its own shareholders and employees.  Compare BP’s response to BusinessWeek’s five-step model for handling a crisis.  Based on this comparison, evaluate BP’s crisis response.  What did the company do right?  What should it have done differently?  What ongoing obligations does BP have to the environment as a stakeholder?