Business Continuity Management

Business Continuity Management (BCM) is a planning process which identifies potential threats and impacts to an organisation and provides procedures on how to cope in the event of a disruption. BCM often involves planning for worst case scenarios, but it is far more likely that your business will be disrupted by an everyday incident. Every week the local media reports incidents such as fires, floods, criminal damage, Police investigations, burst water mains, roadworks, sickness, storms, power outages… the list is endless. All these incidents can, and do, affect businesses, all the time. And it could be yours next!

A business continuity plan will help you to look at the way you run your business, the services and products it provides, and what it needs to keep running, with minimum disruption to staff and customers.

The good news is that you don’t need to be an expert and it doesn’t need to cost much money!

Here are some suggested steps for preparing a simple plan:

  • Understand the organisation: what is the core business; what are your key products and services?

  • Decide your BCM strategy: What are you going to plan for? For example, do you need a plan for separate business units? Are you going to write it yourself or outsource?

  • Develop the BCM response: write the plan! Think of general scenarios such as loss of premises, people, ICT, other resources etc. and think about how you would continue to run the business.

  • Exercise, maintain, and review. Plans need to reflect any business changes and details (e.g. contact lists) need to be kept up to date.

There is lots of free advice and assistance available to get you started with your business continuity plans. Your local authority is a good starting point – check out “business continuity” on their website. There are often business continuity workshops and seminars in the area. The council may also be able to help you run exercises etc. You can also use the following useful links.

Peterborough City Council: email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 01733 207208

Cambridgeshire County Council: email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 08450 455219 

Business Link: www.businesslink.gov.uk

BERR (formerly DTI): www.berr.gov.uk

Preparing for Emergencies: www.pfe.gov.uk

The Environment Agency: www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Continuity Central: www.continuitycentral.com