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.
The first thing to clarify is exactly what a BCP does and is. The reason you need one is to plan out what happens and what everybody in the organisation does when a disaster or problem strikes that stops you from operating at normal productivity. The problems that can, potentially, hit you out of the blue are numerous and can come from anywhere. Do not assume that you know them all from past experience.
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.
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.
The first thing to clarify is exactly what a BCP does and is. The reason you need one is to plan out what happens and what everybody in the organisation does when a disaster or problem strikes that stops you from operating at normal productivity. The problems that can, potentially, hit you out of the blue are numerous and can come from anywhere. Do not assume that you know them all from past experience.
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.
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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