This series outlines ten tips that can be used to improve your program initiation and management.

Tip  # 3 Develop a Strong Policy and Governance Structure

The policy must contain every aspect of the program including a:

• Risk evaluation and control
• Business Impact Analysis
• Comprehensive set of plans (including emergency response, recovery, restoration and crisis communications)
• Training and awareness program
• Annual Exercise
• Audit
• Maintenance program

The business continuity program scope and objectives must be included in the policy. Policy language should spell-out the classical plan; do; check; act cycle and indicate that business continuity management is a continual process.

Do not forget to perform a project risk assessment. Before you start looking for risks to  the organization’s critical processes, look for risks to the success of your business continuity management program.

Return tomorrow for our next tip…

(For more information on DRI’s professional practices please read Professional Practice One – Program Initiation and Management DRII Professional Practices  June 1, 2012 Version 1)

This series outlines ten tips that can be used to improve your program initiation and management.

Tip  # 2 Establish an executive mandated business continuity program

Successful  business continuity planning must have executive level support from the  beginning. Without this any program is  doomed to failure. The business continuity program must have a designated executive sponsor who will sign-off as each milestone is reached. Ideally the  program should be visible to the board of directors or to the deputy minister through annual or quarterly reports. The project sponsors name must carry  enough political weight to open up key doors throughout the organization.

Return tomorrow for our next tip…

(For more information on DRI’s professional practices please read Professional Practice One – Program Initiation and Management DRII Professional Practices  June 1, 2012 Version 1)

As the foundation of Business Continuity Management at your organization, a solid program initiation can help you to avoid many structural issues later on. While you may be eager to demonstrate progress,  investing sufficient time and energy into program planning will help to avoid costly delays and remove obstacles. This series will outline ten tips that can be  used to improve your program initiation and management.

Tip  # 1 Assess current state of the business continuity program

You must be able to clearly describe where your business continuity program currently stands.

• Clarify whether any business continuity plans exist and when they were written.
• Examine how your organization currently manages corporate  risks and how this is evolving.
• Determine how comfortable upper management is  with their risk management maturity level.
• Outline what has changed in the risk  and business environment that warrants a change in the company business continuity program.
• Find out what peer organisations are doing and whether the public, regulators or shareholders would be satisfied with your entity’s current state of business resiliency.

The  executive sponsor will need this information in order to grant robust support.

Return tomorrow for our next tip…

(For more information on DRI’s professional practices please read Professional Practice One – Program Initiation and Management DRII Professional Practices  June 1, 2012 Version 1)