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.
First off you need to think about your staff and who is most important to your company. Look at all workers and decide which ones you can simply not afford to lose at any time. These are the ones you need to have a plan for.
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.
Next you need to give some thought to the equipment you use and how it will be affected in an emergency. If you cannot access your computers and printers it might mean your productivity drops to zero. In this case you need a contingency to stop you from losing profit.
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.
First off you need to think about your staff and who is most important to your company. Look at all workers and decide which ones you can simply not afford to lose at any time. These are the ones you need to have a plan for.
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.
Next you need to give some thought to the equipment you use and how it will be affected in an emergency. If you cannot access your computers and printers it might mean your productivity drops to zero. In this case you need a contingency to stop you from losing profit.
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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