Business Continuity Overview |
An organisation generally develops strategy and makes decisions based on the assumption of the business continuing. An event that threatens this assumption is a significant occurrence, impinging directly on its ability to fulfill business objectives and the livelihood of those involved.
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Risk management is about putting in place strategies that seek to prevent business interruption from occurring in the first place, and in establishing appropriate responses should such an event occur. Interruptions may be the result of a disaster such as an explosion or major fire, but they may also result from non-destructive incidents, such as prolonged power failure or significant security breaches of information systems. Business Continuity management is therefore that part of risk management that refers to the ability to recover and continue business processes and systems should an interruption to normal business occur. |
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The objective of continuity management is to ensure the uninterrupted availability of all key resources required to support critical business activities. Typically the Board or Committee of Management, the governing body of your organisation, should formally sponsor a project to develop and implement a Business Continuity Plan (BCP). A Project Manager or Responsible Officer should be assigned who reports directly to the Board, or a Board representative. It is critical that the person responsible for driving the Continuity Plan project has a good understanding of the operations of the organisation, and the authority to ensure that focus is maintained on processes and systems that are critical to the business. |
A framework has been developed to assist organisations develop their Business Continuity Plans.
The framework is generic and no real distinction has been made between the operational services and the corporate services. Depending on the nature of the organisation and the service they provide, the Continuity Plan BCP will be different.
All entities providing services to residents/clients will need to complete the risk and impact assessment, document an organisational emergency management plan & continuity procedures. Corporate service sites that are responsible for administration will need to prepare a corporate risk and impact analysis, document a Centre Emergency Management plan and continuity procedures that cover functions such as finance, human resources, accounts payable, and payroll. While these plans are not required to be significantly detailed, they must be commensurate with the impact of losing that business function