What is a business continuity plan?

A business continuity plan is a document which lists the procedures and information necessary for the quick and smooth restoration of business operations disruption, such as flood, fire, equipment failure or theft.

Through good planning you can protect your business by identifying and reducing risks, making the right decisions quickly and cutting down financial loss.

Before you can do anything you need to identify an individual or group in charge of developing the BCP. When you have selected your team or individual, a plan can be prepared as follows:

• Risk analysis – this entails conducting an initial assessment to determine your business vulnerability to possible hazards, emergencies and disruptions. You then need to consider what effect these risks would have on premises, equipment, vehicles, IT, public liability supplies and personnel.



• Develop a plan – when the unthinkable happens, the plan should guide you through actions to be implemented. This should incorporate emergency action planning to deal with the immediate aftermath on any incident and the longer term procedures required to return the business to full capacity.



• Testing and maintaining the plan – once the plan has been agreed and set up, it needs to be regularly tested to make sure all employees understand the procedures. The plan should also be regularly reviewed and updated to take into account changes within the company’s operations.

Developing a BCP is one of the most important tasks for a company. Without it your organisation is vulnerable and unprepared for even the most simple disruptions.