How to Develop a Business Continuity Plan

A Business Continuity Plan will enable a business or organisation to respond in a controlled manner to any disruption caused by internal or external factors.  There are 5 key stages that make up the Business Continuity Planning cycle. 

BCM Programme Management

Enables the business continuity capability to be both established and maintained appropriate to the size of the business.  The strategy needs to be supported and driven from the top of the organisation down.

Understanding Your Organisation

Identifies the critical products, services and functions in your business.  It also identifies the activities and resources required to achieve them.

Determining BCM Options

Selecting an appropriate strategy to mitigate loss and maintain your business' critical functions.  These should take into account resilience and countermeasure options already present within the business. 

Developing the BCM Response

Building your business' risk tolerance by improving operational procedures and practices and putting in place BCM plans to ensure that interruptions to service can be dealt with as quickly as possible. 

Embedding a BCM Culture

Embedding a BCM culture in the business core values and daily operational procedures ensures BCM principles are adopted across your business processes.  This will involve education and awareness training for all stakeholders including employees, suppliers and contractors. 

Exercising, Maintenance Auditing and Self-assessment

Ensuring that your Business Continuity Plan is up-to-date, your staff are aware of it and they are exercised in its use. 

Thanks to Sunderland City Council for material for this page. 

Last Modified: 01/02/2008 14:18:19
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