Business continuity planning

Ignoring the possibility of a disaster could in fact create one. Continuity management is a cornerstone of good business practice because it addresses risk, security, insurance, legal, operational and safety issues and helps ensure that critical systems can be restored quickly following an unplanned event.

Time is the key to recovery. Following a disaster, it is the company that recovers in the shortest possible time that minimises its losses. Without a business continuity plan, it could take days, weeks or even months to recover from an event - if you're lucky.

You need a business continuity strategy that is:

• recognised as important to your organisation.
• integrated and covers all your organisation's needs.
• appropriate and reflects the way you do business.
• flexible in addressing immediate and future needs.
• resourced to reflect the nature and scope of your business.

What should the plan cover?

Planning begins with an analysis of risks in the business environment and the likely impact of different disruptions. This allows you to compare the cost effectiveness of potential solutions. Once you have decided what you will do, project and change management plans can be prepared. Your plan should specify its scope and assumptions, defining what a disaster is and how action will be triggered.

Key elements of a business continuity plan

• Roles, responsibilities, tasks and functions must be prioritised for all management and departmental teams and leaders.
• Critical information including alternative working locations, internal and external contact details, vital documents and materials, including back-ups must be available.
• Functional requirements including how and when resources will be provided, reporting requirements and processes, an audit trail of actions to be undertaken during the recovery, must be clearly stated.
• Plans should be concise, action-orientated and kept up to date as personnel, locations and business priorities change - regular testing is vital.

How can we help you now?

Get a free quote now or for further information simply get in touch and one of our advisors will contact you. You will find detailed information to download in our Library or you can call us now on 0800 112911 option 2.