It is time to sit down, put pen to paper and write your business continuity plans. They should be straightforward: easy to read, easy to reference and easy to use.  These ten tips will help you to compose a practical plan that you will be proud to publish.

Tip #7 Define any terms not commonly known in a glossary appendix

The glossary should include any terms defined within the plan, all business continuity terms and any function specific terms. If in doubt, define it in the glossary.

Be sure to keep the glossary up to date and add terms as you develop the plan.

While it is uncertain whether a digital copy would be available during an incident, for training purposes hyperlink the terms to where they first appear in the plan.

(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)

‘When planning for war, I have always found plans to be useless, but planning to be invaluable.’ General Eisenhower

It is time to sit down, put pen to paper and write your business continuity plans. They should be straightforward: easy to read, easy to reference and easy to use.  These ten tips will help you to compose a practical plan that you will be proud to publish.

Tip #6 Use product and process flows, graphics, illustrations, charts and checklists

If the sequence of events in the business continuity plan can be displayed graphically, it will help to illustrate when different parts of the plan are executed and when resources are needed.  Use product and process flows, graphics, and illustrations as needed to identify the sequence of activities in the plan implementation. Validate product and process flows with the management team to ensure they are accurate and consistent with the business activities being recovered.

(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)

‘When planning for war, I have always found plans to be useless, but planning to be invaluable.’ General Eisenhower