The business continuity plan is one of the most straightforward though effective items you will draw up for your company. Incredible to think, then, that many people who run their own enterprises have no idea where to begin. This guide will help, highlighting the main important areas when putting this item together.
First off, an explanation. Amazingly many business-people do not even know what these plans do. The main reason for making one is to work out what action you take to keep the company going should a disaster strike that makes it impossible for work to continue as usual. These problems may come from inside the company or outside but it is worth noting that they can affect organisations in every industry.
The primary step is to draw up a list of the people who make your company run. Then systematically go through your list and whittle it down to the people who are most important, then to the people who are genuinely essential. This is your key personnel, the backbone of a solid BCP.
If you have staff who can telecommute this is great as it means even if your location is inaccessible, employees can still operate. If not you will have to think about how else you get the job done or, at least, some of the job done with the staff inaccessible. This is central to a good BCP.
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.
Equipment is also a big part of a BCP. Think about the items that allow you to do what you do effectively and how inability to access them will change your company. The modern office has come to a point where an electrical fault for two hours can mean an entire week's work is knocked off course. Plan how you deal with such problems and which equipment is most important.
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.
First off, an explanation. Amazingly many business-people do not even know what these plans do. The main reason for making one is to work out what action you take to keep the company going should a disaster strike that makes it impossible for work to continue as usual. These problems may come from inside the company or outside but it is worth noting that they can affect organisations in every industry.
The primary step is to draw up a list of the people who make your company run. Then systematically go through your list and whittle it down to the people who are most important, then to the people who are genuinely essential. This is your key personnel, the backbone of a solid BCP.
If you have staff who can telecommute this is great as it means even if your location is inaccessible, employees can still operate. If not you will have to think about how else you get the job done or, at least, some of the job done with the staff inaccessible. This is central to a good BCP.
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.
Equipment is also a big part of a BCP. Think about the items that allow you to do what you do effectively and how inability to access them will change your company. The modern office has come to a point where an electrical fault for two hours can mean an entire week's work is knocked off course. Plan how you deal with such problems and which equipment is most important.
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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