Writing A Business Continuity Plan
A good business continuity plan could well be the difference between the success and failure of your company when times get tough. It is amazing to think, then, that many business-owners do not have one. This is not an expensive or difficult item to draw up but it can save untold amounts in the long run. This guide will show you how to make a solid BCP.
For those wondering what, exactly, a BCP does then let's start with an explanation. A BCP covers all the things that your organisation needs to do to get motoring despite events outside of your control shutting down normal operations. Think of all the possible problems - from natural events likes storms or hurricanes to man-made roadblocks like a strike in your supplier's warehouse - that can stop you working. This is what the BCP safeguards you against.
The first step in this process is to write up a long list of the key people in your company. Go through it and decide which ones are most important. In other words: who are the men and women essential to your operation and whose absence would cause a huge dip in productivity.
Consider the way these people affect your business and the jobs they do from day to day. You want as many of these people in a position where they can potentially telecommute as possible. In a large scale event which stops you from operating, it is going to be hugely helpful if these employees are still able to put in a day of work. If there is no way of them performing their role by telecommuting then work out how you will react to their absence in an emergency.
Next you want to have a long think about the external personnel who are key to your success - IT consultants, accountants, suppliers, etc. Make up a list and detail all contact information, location and how often you need to meet with them. A disaster might strike that shuts down their business as well as yours. While you cannot write their BCP you can make sure to take such a possibility into consideration in your own.
Office and work equipment is the next step. It is difficult to imagine how a day of work can be done nowadays with no electrical equipment to hand but if a disaster strikes this may be exactly the situation you find yourselves in. If printing is central to how your business makes money you will need to plan for its absence.
When you have this information you need to translate it into a business continuity plan. Here you decide what to do in the event of an emergency. Make sure you do not end up losing out because of large events beyond your control. Write up a strong BCP today.
For those wondering what, exactly, a BCP does then let's start with an explanation. A BCP covers all the things that your organisation needs to do to get motoring despite events outside of your control shutting down normal operations. Think of all the possible problems - from natural events likes storms or hurricanes to man-made roadblocks like a strike in your supplier's warehouse - that can stop you working. This is what the BCP safeguards you against.
The first step in this process is to write up a long list of the key people in your company. Go through it and decide which ones are most important. In other words: who are the men and women essential to your operation and whose absence would cause a huge dip in productivity.
Consider the way these people affect your business and the jobs they do from day to day. You want as many of these people in a position where they can potentially telecommute as possible. In a large scale event which stops you from operating, it is going to be hugely helpful if these employees are still able to put in a day of work. If there is no way of them performing their role by telecommuting then work out how you will react to their absence in an emergency.
Next you want to have a long think about the external personnel who are key to your success - IT consultants, accountants, suppliers, etc. Make up a list and detail all contact information, location and how often you need to meet with them. A disaster might strike that shuts down their business as well as yours. While you cannot write their BCP you can make sure to take such a possibility into consideration in your own.
Office and work equipment is the next step. It is difficult to imagine how a day of work can be done nowadays with no electrical equipment to hand but if a disaster strikes this may be exactly the situation you find yourselves in. If printing is central to how your business makes money you will need to plan for its absence.
When you have this information you need to translate it into a business continuity plan. Here you decide what to do in the event of an emergency. Make sure you do not end up losing out because of large events beyond your control. Write up a strong BCP today.
About the Author:
If you are in need of a good business continuity plan take a look at Evergreen Data Continuity. We offer business continuity software for many purposes and more info is at the home page.
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