Business Continuity Planning for a Small Business

What will your company do to manage a firm wide disaster that disrupts normal business operations?

Business continuity planning (BCP), also called business continuity and resiliency planning (BCRP), identifies a company's exposure to external and internal business risks and develops and implements prevention and disaster recovery plans to maintain a competitive advantage in the event a business hazard occurs. This includes preparing a written continuity plan that is designed to keep the business operating in the event of failures in business operational systems like computers and records or destruction of a core business facility or equipment.

Business Continuity Management and Business Disaster Recovery Planning

Any business can have a serious incident occur that halts normal business operations. This may be computer failures, a fire that destroys important business records, an earthquake, or other devastating act. A company can prepare a back-up plan in anticipation of continuing business operations if a disaster occurs. Top level management, executives, and board members should each participate in developing a firm's business continuity plan.

Business Logistics and Developing a Business Continuity Plan

There are a number of well-developed free government documents that can assist a small business in developing its business continuity plan. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) makes available a thorough emergency planning resource through its Continuity Assistance Tool (CAT) for Non-Government Entities public report. This FEMA document provides a topical outline that can be used by either a product- or service-based firm to assess and develop its written continuity management plan.

Business Continuity Planning Software

There are also business continuity planning software programs in the marketplace. Continuity computer software come from such major service providers as SunGard Availability Services. Because of the great importance of continuity planning to business operations, it is advisable to conduct serious research before purchasing a continuity planning software. Continuity Insights magazine conducted a survey and developed its Business Continuity Planning Software Survey in February 2006.

Business Continuity Planning Services

A business can also outsource the development of its business continuity planning project. This includes having a business continuity service provider, an expert in the field, visit the business to evaluate operations and talk with core personnel to customize a plan for the company. Check credentials and references before hiring a continuity planner. Organizations like the Business Continuity Planning Association (BPCA) located in St. Paul, Minnesota or a state chapter of the Association of Contingency Planners (ACP) can be of service.

Weigh the benefits of in-house continuity planning and outsourcing continuity planning. In either case, effective continuity planning involves continually updating the plan to adjust to changes in your business environment.

General Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for legal or tax advice.