Most project escalation plans fit into one of three categories:
Automatic: These escalations are mandated by service level agreements (SLA) whenever certain violations occur. Functional: Also known as a horizontal escalation, this type of escalation occurs when an issue is assigned to another team or individual based on their knowledge or skill set. Hierarchical: Sometimes known as a vertical escalation, this escalation occurs when key stakeholders and higher-ups are required to resolve an issue.