Ways Of Designing Appropriate Business Continuity Plan

By Mia McCall


A Business Continuity Plan can be referred to as a least expensive insurance that any company may have. This is most preferred by small companies as the cost incurred in producing it is minimal. It outlines how the employees are to stay in touch thereby continuously doing their jobs in the events of emergency or in case of disaster. Such emergencies or disasters in the office may include fire.

However, a number of companies do not develop such plans. It is of great significant to ensure continued operation of the company in the act or event of disasters. This type of plan can also be closely associated with Disaster Recovery Plan due to their similar structure. However, the latter is focused on the recovery while BCP indicate the way the business should be continuing in the act until the accomplishment of the recovery. Therefore the two documents play a significant role and are usually compiled in one document.

In order to come up with appropriate Business Continuity Plan it is important to follow the following set procedures. In the first step, you need to document the internal key employees the company as well as backups. This entails people who are to fill in the critical positions which the business or the company may not do without. It is of great significant to identify those that can telecommute. These are people who are able to carry out the activities of the company at a home based office; this will help in minimizing risk that may be posed by a disaster.

Documentation of external contacts is also necessary. There is need to document a list of people who renders essential services to the company such as IT consultants, banks, key personnel among others. You should as well make sure that critical equipment for example; personal computers are documented and properly stored as they contain important and essential information about the company. Other documents that should also be documented include articles of incorporation and legal papers.

In the plan you need to identify contingency equipment and locations. There is a need to identify places where this equipment may be relocated in case of emergency or disaster. You should establish an alternative location to be used when the primary location is unavailable.

You should design how to. At this stage you indicate step by step guidelines to be followed in the event of such occurrence. This denotes the department or individuals charged with such responsibilities. Such information should be made available to all personnel.

It is essential to communicate to every member of the company or the business the content of a Business Continuity Plan. This might be done through training to the entire employee whether they have responsibility outlined in the plan or not. Before the implementation, there is need to test it. This will enable the company to gain insight on the effectiveness of the plan or whether it needs changes.

Achieving maximum profit and delivering quality services is the ultimate goals of most business enterprises. This can be done effectively by developing appropriate Business Continuity Plan. This will significantly prevent the company from risk posed by emergencies or disasters.




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