What is a business continuity plan?
A business continuity plan should be a set of instructions of what to do, and what not to do, at the time of a crisis. It is often created by someone, or a group of people, who know how the whole business is run.
Business continuity is about thinking ahead and planning for a crisis that could affect your business, making sure that it can survive. In short, it is about ensuring that a crisis does not become a disaster.
How long will it take to create a business continuity plan?
It should not take long to create your first plan but obviously this will depend on the complexity of your business. The smaller the size of your business, generally the less time it is likely to take.
What will it cost to create a business continuity plan?
The cost will be relatively little and at the end of the exercise you will have a plan to protect your business. The benefits of having a working continuity plan will out-weigh any small expenditure.
Why should I use a business continuity plan?
- Experience shows that businesses are far more likely to survive a disaster if they have thought about it in advance, and planned accordingly.
- Banks, investors, insurers, customers and suppliers will take a company that has a business continuity plan much more seriously.
- Business continuity plans build employee confidence. Employees will appreciate the fact that the business is doing all it can to protect their safety and place of work.
- In the end, business continuity is about responsible management. It makes a business a safer place to work and contributes to financial stability.
Why have you split the guides according to the number of people in each business?
Although the basics of business recovery planning remain the same, they tend to become more complicated the larger the organisation.
My business differs from most, will the guides still help me?
Obviously some specialist businesses may have slightly different needs from another, so we recommend that you browse through the site to choose the best approach for you. Alternatively, if you already have a business Continuity plan you may find some extra tips, advice or links to other useful sites with more specific advice.
Does a small company need a Business Continuity Plan?
Yes, even a sole trader is advised to have systems in place to be able to continue his/ her work in case of fraud, theft, sabotage, flooding, fire, IT and utility failures and terrorist attacks.
How should a company communicate a business continuity plan to its employees?
Without due alarm. The plan should be communicated to all employees in an easy to understand, accessible format that emphasises the company's commitment to business Continuity management.
What systems should be in place to assist with a fast recovery programme?
It is very important to focus on keeping back-ups and copies of documents off-site, as well as having a plan that focuses on your mission critical activities and caters for an alternative site to work from.
