How do I write a BCP plan? A Complete Guide

An emergency response strategy delineates steps and guidelines that a corporation must adhere to during crises, be it natural disasters, technological breaches, or other emergencies. Here's a method for devising a strategy that enhances your company's survival prospects during such calamities.

Recent tumultuous periods have affected almost every corporation. As occurrences of severe climate conditions, technological breaches, and global disputes escalate, corporate chiefs are preparing for more frequent, significant challenges their enterprises must tackle.

PwC's 2023 Global Crisis and Resilience Survey reveals that 96% of 1,812 corporate leaders reported disruptions in their enterprises in the previous two years, with 76% experiencing disruptions of moderate to severe operational impact.

Therefore, it's not surprising that 89% of executives prioritize resilience in their strategic planning.

However, just 70% of those surveyed express confidence in their enterprise's disruption response capabilities. PwC observes that many corporations lack essential resilience components for success.

A robust emergency response strategy forms one such crucial component.

Every corporation should anticipate potential disasters and develop a strategy for various possible situations.

Such a strategy offers corporations optimal chances for successful disaster navigation, outlining specific responsibilities and sequences to maintain operational continuity.

Miss this strategy, a corporation might face prolonged recovery times from incidents or, in extreme cases, might not recover. So, if you are wondering: How do I write a BCP plan? Here is the complete step-by-step guide. 

What is business continuity planning (BCP) ?

A Business Continuity Plan (BCP) serves as a tactical guide for organizations to sustain operations or swiftly regain functionality in the event of disruptions. Such disturbances could stem from natural disasters, civil disturbances, cyber incidents, or any other threats that may impede business activities.

This plan delineates the methodologies and directives necessary for the organization to efficiently handle such occurrences, aiming to minimize operational halts. It encompasses various aspects like business operations, assets, workforce, business allies, and more.

Distinct from a disaster recovery plan, which primarily targets the restoration of IT frameworks and operations post-crisis, a BCP includes disaster recovery as a component of a broader strategy to guarantee operational continuity. Hence, the BCP should guide the measures in an organization's disaster recovery plan. Given their close interrelation, these plans are often jointly referred to as BCDR.

BCP encompasses the systems and protocols that enable businesses to either sustain or swiftly resume operations in the face of a significant disruption. In essence, it serves as a contingency plan.

A well-structured business continuity plan should delineate procedures and guidelines for staff members in the event of a disaster. This plan should address key aspects such as:

• Business processes
• Protocols for handling equipment and/or stock
• Assignment of responsibilities to specific individuals
• Emergency contact details
• Contingency plans for back-up power
• Strategies for various disruptions, including extreme weather conditions

While business continuity plans are commonly associated with mitigating disruptions caused by extreme weather, they prove invaluable in addressing day-to-day challenges such as delayed customer payments, employee absenteeism, or unanticipated issues with suppliers.

The Importance of Business Continuity Planning

​For businesses of all sizes, maintaining and expanding your clientele is crucial. The most significant test of this capability often comes in the aftermath of a challenging situation.

Given the essential role of IT in modern business, a plethora of disaster recovery options exist. IT departments are usually well-equipped to handle these. 

However, what about other critical business functions? 

The longevity and success of your enterprise hinge on your workforce and operational procedures. Effectively managing any crisis can positively influence your company's image and market standing, bolstering customer trust.

Additionally, current trends show a rise in consumer and regulatory demands for robust enterprise security and uninterrupted operations. Thus, organizations must give top priority to continuity planning. 

This approach is necessary not only to avert operational disruptions but also to prevent financial, legal, reputational, and regulatory repercussions.

Consider the potential risks like regulatory authorities revoking or imposing conditions on an organization's operational license. Such actions can negatively impact market valuation and shake consumer trust.

The Vital Role of Business Continuity Planning

​In today's competitive environment, businesses of all sizes must safeguard their ability to maintain and expand their clientele. 

However, the true test of this capability often emerges in the aftermath of challenging situations. It is during these critical moments that the vital role of business continuity planning becomes evident.

Business continuity planning encompasses a comprehensive strategy aimed at ensuring that an organization can continue its operations and provide essential services even in the face of disruptions. While it is often associated with disaster recovery, its scope extends far beyond IT infrastructure.

At its core, business continuity planning recognizes that a business's longevity and success depend on more than just technical systems. It places equal importance on the workforce, operational procedures, and the ability to effectively manage crises. 

This holistic approach not only safeguards a company's image and market standing but also bolsters customer trust.

Challenges in Maintaining and Expanding Clientele

​In the dynamic realm of business, maintaining and expanding one's clientele is an enduring challenge. 

This section delves into the multifaceted nature of this challenge and the pivotal role business continuity planning plays in surmounting it.

Customer retention stands as a cornerstone of sustainable business growth. Retaining existing customers is often more cost-effective than acquiring new ones. In challenging times, the ability to preserve and strengthen these customer relationships becomes paramount. 

Business continuity planning equips organizations with the tools and strategies necessary to ensure that customer service remains uninterrupted, fostering loyalty and trust.

Challenging situations, whether they stem from natural disasters, technological disruptions, or unforeseen crises, can have a profound impact on customer relationships. Businesses must navigate these challenges with finesse, demonstrating resilience and reliability. Business continuity planning provides a structured framework for responding to such situations swiftly and effectively, minimizing disruptions to customer interactions.

The true test of a business's capability to maintain and expand its clientele comes in the aftermath of challenging situations. How an organization responds during these critical moments can either bolster or erode customer trust. 

Business continuity planning ensures that the post-challenge phase is characterized by a seamless transition back to normalcy, instilling confidence in customers and reinforcing their loyalty.

Beyond IT: Ensuring Comprehensive Preparedness

In the digital age, information technology (IT) undeniably stands as a pillar of modern business operations. Yet, when contemplating business continuity, it becomes evident that a comprehensive approach is imperative. 

This section delves into the broader aspects of preparedness that extend beyond IT, emphasizing the critical role they play in an organization's resilience.

The pervasive role of IT in contemporary business cannot be overstated. It underpins essential functions, from communication and data management to customer engagement and e-commerce. 

While business continuity planning often begins with safeguarding IT infrastructure, it is vital to recognize that IT is just one facet of the larger operational ecosystem.

Business continuity planning requires a holistic perspective that encompasses all facets of an organization. Holistic preparedness entails considering the interdependencies among various operational elements, including people, processes, and technologies. 

It recognizes that disruptions can originate from various sources, necessitating a comprehensive strategy that addresses the organization as a whole.

Ultimately, the longevity and success of any enterprise hinge on its workforce and operational procedures. The ability to ensure business continuity extends far beyond technical systems; it encompasses the readiness of personnel and the efficiency of processes. 

The criticality of workforce and operations in continuity planning cannot be underestimated, as they form the bedrock upon which an organization's resilience is built. 

Building Trust Through Effective Crisis Management

Effective crisis management is not merely about weathering the storm; it is also a potent tool for building and fortifying trust. This section examines the intricate relationship between crisis management and trust-building, highlighting their profound impact on corporate image and market perception.

The manner in which an organization responds to crises can significantly shape its corporate image. Swift, transparent, and well-executed crisis management strategies can bolster the perception of an organization as competent, responsible, and customer-centric. 

Conversely, mishandled crises can tarnish an organization's reputation and erode trust.

Market perception is a delicate and influential factor in the business landscape. Effective crisis management can sway market perception in a positive direction. Investors and stakeholders often view organizations that adeptly navigate crises as more resilient and attractive. This can translate into enhanced market valuation and competitive advantage.

Customers are the lifeblood of any business, and their trust is invaluable. Effective crisis management not only ensures business continuity but also strengthens customer trust. 

When customers perceive that an organization can weather challenges and prioritize their needs, they are more likely to remain loyal and continue doing business. 

Business continuity plan checklist

​Creating a robust Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is crucial for safeguarding your business against disruptions. This checklist template serves as a foundational outline that you can customize to align with the unique needs of your business. 

For personalized and industry-specific guidance, we advise consulting with reputable organizations such as the Business Continuity Institute or other professional bodies.

1. Introduction:
   • This section provides a brief overview of the purpose and scope of your business continuity plan. It sets the stage for understanding the key components that follow and serves as a reference point for stakeholders.
2. Key Area Checklists:
   • These checklists are tailored to cover specific key areas critical to business continuity. They may include:
     • Operational Processes:
       • Document the essential business processes that must be sustained during disruptions.
     • Infrastructure and Technology:
       • Assess and outline the technology and infrastructure requirements necessary for continuity.
     • Personnel and Responsibilities:
       • Clearly define roles and responsibilities of team members during a crisis.
     • Communication Strategies:
       • Establish effective communication protocols for both internal and external stakeholders.
3. Contact Lists:
   • Compile comprehensive lists of key contacts, including:
     • Internal Contacts:
       • Names and contact details of key personnel within the organization.
     • External Contacts:
       • Contacts for emergency services, suppliers, clients, and other external stakeholders.
     • Alternate Contacts:
       • Backup contacts in case primary contacts are unavailable.
4. Action and Expenses Log:
   • Keep a detailed log of actions taken and associated expenses during a disruption, including:
     • Immediate Actions:
       • Record steps taken in the initial phase of the disruption to mitigate its impact.
     • Ongoing Actions:
       • Document continuous efforts to maintain or resume business operations.
     • Expense Tracking:
       • Monitor and record expenses related to business continuity efforts.

By utilizing this template and tailoring it to your business specifics, you can enhance your readiness to navigate unexpected challenges effectively.

Writing and Refreshing a Business Continuity Plan

​Creating a first-time business continuity plan or revising an existing one is a complex endeavor with several vital stages.

Evaluating business operations for their crucial nature and susceptibility is the initial step. It begins with discerning what is paramount for the business.

Therefore, the inaugural phase in crafting your business continuity strategy is to analyze your business operations. Identify which are imperative, which are most prone to various incidents, and the prospective losses if these processes are disrupted for a day, several days, or a week.

This stage is about pinpointing what needs safeguarding and what must remain operational. This examination is more challenging than ever due to the intricacies of the contemporary hybrid work environment, the advanced IT landscape, and dependency on business partners and external suppliers for critical process execution or support.

Goh emphasizes that an exhaustive assessment necessitates a comprehensive inventory. 

This inventory should include not only the primary processes but also the supporting elements such as IT systems, networks, personnel, and external service providers, in addition to the risks to these components. This process constitutes a business impact analysis.

Identifying Your Organization's RTO and RPO

​The subsequent phase in formulating a business continuity plan involves establishing your organization's recovery time objective (RTO) and recovery point objective (RPO). RTO represents the desired duration to resume operations following a failure, while RPO defines the maximum data loss an organization can tolerate.

Every organization's RTO and RPO vary, influenced by its business nature, sector, regulatory demands, and other operational aspects. Furthermore, various segments within a business may possess distinct RTOs and RPOs, necessitating executive-level decisions.

During discussions with different departments, it's common to hear that all functions are critical. It's challenging, but essential, to engage in candid dialogues to determine what truly is vital for the organization and the continuity of the business.

Elaborating Steps, Roles, and Responsibilities for Continuity 

​Once RTO and RPO are established, along with a business impact analysis, business leaders must then pinpoint the precise actions required, assign them to the appropriate individuals, and order them to guarantee business continuity.

This process involves transforming the core elements of your analysis into a detailed plan that specifies who is responsible for what. It delves into the specifics of maintaining operational functionality.

A frequently used tool in business continuity planning is a comprehensive checklist. This list should encompass necessary supplies and equipment, locations of data backups and alternate sites, accessibility of the plan, and contact details for emergency responders, key staff, and backup site providers.

Despite the broad range of possible scenarios that might affect business operations, experts advise that leaders need not prepare for every conceivable incident. Instead, they should focus on compiling a list that encompasses probable incidents and those that are representative, enabling them to craft responses that enhance the likelihood of sustaining continuity, even in unforeseen disasters.

Thus, in the event of an unanticipated crisis, they can adapt elements from their plan to the unique situation at hand.

Business continuity plan checklist to help you create a comprehensive BCP

​Creating a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is a critical step in ensuring that your organization can continue to operate in the face of various disruptions. Here's a step-by-step guide and business continuity plan checklist to help you create a comprehensive BCP:

1. Initiate the Planning Process:

• Gain executive support: Ensure that top management understands the importance of business continuity and provides support for the planning process.
• Establish a BCP team: Form a dedicated team with representatives from different departments to ensure a comprehensive approach.

2. Conduct a Business Impact Analysis (BIA):

• Identify critical processes: Determine which business processes are crucial for the organization's operation.
• Assess potential risks: Identify and assess potential threats and risks that could disrupt operations.
• Quantify impact: Evaluate the impact of disruptions on each critical process, considering financial, operational, and reputational consequences.

3. Risk Assessment:

• Identify and assess risks: Analyze external and internal risks, including natural disasters, technology failures, human factors, etc.
• Prioritize risks: Rank risks based on their likelihood and potential impact on business operations.

4. Develop a Strategy:

• Risk mitigation: Develop strategies to mitigate identified risks, including preventive measures and safeguards.
• Incident response: Define clear procedures for responding to incidents, including communication plans and emergency response protocols.

5. Business Continuity Plan Documentation:

• Document essential information: Clearly outline critical processes, key personnel, communication plans, and recovery strategies.
• Establish roles and responsibilities: Define the responsibilities of individuals involved in the BCP and designate alternates.

6. Resource Identification and Allocation:

• Identify resources: Determine the resources required for business continuity, including personnel, technology, facilities, and external services.
• Allocate resources: Ensure that resources are available and accessible during a crisis.

7. Testing and Training:

• Conduct simulations: Regularly test the BCP through simulations or tabletop exercises to identify weaknesses and improve response capabilities.
• Training: Ensure that employees are trained in their roles and responsibilities during a crisis.

8. Communication Plan:

• Develop a communication strategy: Define how internal and external communications will be managed during a disruption.
• Establish communication channels: Identify primary and secondary communication channels and ensure redundancy.

9. Review and Update:

• Regular reviews: Schedule periodic reviews of the BCP to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.
• Update documentation: Revise the BCP based on changes in the organization, technology, or external factors.

10. Obtain Management Approval:

• Present the BCP to management for review and approval.
• Ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the plan and their roles in its execution.

11. Continuous Improvement:

• Learn from incidents: Analyze any incidents or disruptions to identify areas for improvement.
• Update and refine: Continuously update and refine the BCP based on lessons learned and changes in the business environment.

Remember that business continuity planning is an ongoing process, and regular reviews and updates are crucial to maintaining an effective plan.

Business continuity plan template

Utilize this Business Continuity Plan (BCP) template as a framework for crafting your business continuity plan. This plan will thoroughly evaluate all facets of your business, ensuring that emergency procedures and equipment meet necessary standards. The use of this business continuity plan template will facilitates compliance with ISO 22301 and enables business continuity managers and consultants to:

Testing a Business Continuity Plan: A Crucial Step 

​Merely formulating a business continuity plan doesn't suffice for ensuring readiness. Testing and practicing the plan are equally essential.

Experts highlight several key advantages of testing and practicing.

Firstly, these activities reveal the plan's effectiveness.

Through testing and practice, all involved parties become better prepared for real incidents. This preparation helps develop the reflexes necessary for responding swiftly and with confidence in a crisis.

These exercises also unveil shortcomings in the plan. Each tabletop exercise conducted has been revelatory for all participants.

Furthermore, testing can expose inconsistencies in objectives. For instance, executives might undervalue the reinstatement of certain IT systems, only to discover in a drill that these systems are crucial for vital processes.

Testing Varieties and Scheduling for Business Continuity Plans 

Organizations typically conduct tests of their business continuity plans two to four times annually. The frequency of these tests, along with reviews and updates, hinges on the specific organization — factors like its industry, pace of innovation and change, turnover among key personnel, and the number and complexity of business processes play a role.

Standard tests include tabletop exercises, structured walk-throughs, and simulations. Test teams generally consist of a recovery coordinator and representatives from each functional unit.

Tabletop exercises often take place in a meeting room, where the team scrutinizes the plan for gaps and ensures representation from all business units.

During a structured walk-through, each member scrutinizes their part of the plan in detail, seeking weaknesses. Teams typically approach these tests with a particular disaster scenario in mind. Some organizations integrate drills and disaster role-play into these walk-throughs. Identified weaknesses should be rectified, with the revised plan disseminated to relevant staff.

Experts also recommend conducting a full-scale emergency evacuation drill annually.

Disaster simulation testing, despite its complexity, should be executed yearly. This involves creating a scenario mimicking a real disaster, complete with necessary equipment, supplies, personnel (including business partners and vendors). The goal is to test whether the organization and its staff can execute critical functions during an actual event.

Include new employees in each testing phase of the business continuity plan. Their "fresh eyes" might spot oversights or information gaps that seasoned team members might miss.

Regular reviewing and updating of the business continuity plan is crucial. It should be a dynamic document, not merely a formal requirement. Plans that are not regularly refreshed become obsolete and useless when most needed.

Gather key personnel at least once a year to review the plan and discuss needed modifications.

Before this review, gather input from staff to integrate into the plan. Request all departments or business units to examine the plan, including those in branch locations or remote units.

Moreover, a robust business continuity strategy involves reviewing the organization's response post an actual incident. This review allows leadership and teams to recognize areas of success and those needing enhancement.

How to Ensure Support and Awareness of the Business Continuity Plan 

A surefire way to hinder the success of your business continuity plan is to take a lax stance on its significance. Every business continuity plan necessitates top-down endorsement. 

This means senior management must play a central role in crafting and updating the plan; this responsibility cannot be delegated to subordinates. Furthermore, the plan remains relevant and effective when senior management prioritizes it by dedicating time for thorough examination and testing.

Management also plays a pivotal role in fostering user awareness. If employees are unaware of the plan's existence, how can they respond effectively in critical moments?

While plan dissemination and training may be overseen by business unit leaders or HR personnel, it's imperative to have a senior figure initiate the training and underscore its importance. This approach resonates more strongly with all employees, bestowing the plan with greater credibility and a sense of urgency.

Wrapping up 

​A surefire way to hinder the success of your business continuity plan is to take a lax stance on its significance. Every business continuity plan necessitates top-down endorsement. 

This means senior management must play a central role in crafting and updating the plan; this responsibility cannot be delegated to subordinates. Furthermore, the plan remains relevant and effective when senior management prioritizes it by dedicating time for thorough examination and testing.

Management also plays a pivotal role in fostering user awareness. If employees are unaware of the plan's existence, how can they respond effectively in critical moments?

While plan dissemination and training may be overseen by business unit leaders or HR personnel, it's imperative to have a senior figure initiate the training and underscore its importance. 

This approach resonates more strongly with all employees, bestowing the plan with greater credibility and a sense of urgency.