Business continuity planning
Business continuity planning has five stages:
Stage One: Understanding your business
The first stage is to consider the impact of different types of
disaster on your business. Complete a
Business Impact Analysis (PDF, 146k) to help you identify the
loss which could occur.
You will also need to fill in a risk assessment to
determine what risks face the everyday running of your business.
The highest priority risks should receive the most attention during
the business continuity planning process.
Stage Two: Developing your plan
After you have completed your assessments you should draw up an
Incident Management checklist (PDF, 87k) to identify
how you will respond in the event of an emergency.
This should be followed by a full Business Continuity Plan which
will provide a framework for you and your business to respond to
any crisis. See our
Business Continuity Plan template (PDF, 64k) for a list of
topics to include.
Stage Three: Testing your plan
You will need to test your final Business Continuity Plan to
make sure it works in practice. In certain cases you might just
want to test specific elements, such as the contact list,
activation of the plan or communications equipment.
Stage Four: Training staff
It is important to provide training for staff who are directly
involved in the plan, so that they are fully aware of their roles
and responsibilities. It is also important to raise the awareness
of any customers, suppliers and internal and external stakeholders
who may be affected.
Stage Five: Maintaining and reviewing your plan
You should test and review your Business Continuity Plan
frequently to make sure it is in line with any changes made within
the business. Identify a key member of staff to take ownership of
the plan and review it at least once a year.