In the "Problem that the HSPC Study will aim to solve," the authors submit that there are three primary framework components: planning guidance, operational planning, and capabilities development. There should be four, and the fourth should be "evaluation and reassessment." As a number of contributors have pointed out, the nature of the threat and our capabilities will never be static. Accordingly, once we arrive at any given solution set we should test that solution (through exercises of various descriptions) and evaluate the results of the test.

It is unwise to assume that either manmade or natural disasters will remain unchanging. Our approach to those disasters must necessarily remain flexible. Just how flexible cannot be ascertained without a constant review of what we perceive the threats to be, and how we intend to respond to them.