Click here to learn about Navigator features!

Competent Persons

Issue #70
September, 8, 2008

When the subject of disaster planning comes up, everyone agrees on the importance of having a plan, however, few companies are really prepared. By following a four step process, you can create and implement a business continuation plan.

Step 1: Establish a Planning Team

There must be an individual or group in charge of developing the emergency management plan. The size of the planning team will depend on the facility's operations, requirements, and resources.

Step 2: Analyze Capabilities and Hazards

This step entails gathering information about current capabilities and possible hazards and emergencies, and then conducting a vulnerability analysis to determine the facility's capabilities for handling emergencies.

Step 3: Develop the Plan

You are now ready to develop an emergency management plan. Your plan should include an executive summary with an overview of the authorities and responsibilities of key personnel. It should also include emergency response procedures along with supporting documents like call lists, site maps and a list of available resources.

Step 4: Implement the Plan

Implementation means more than simply exercising the plan during an emergency. It means acting on recommendations made during the vulnerability analysis, integrating the plan into company operations, training employees, and periodically evaluating the plan.

Free for the asking . . . .

To learn more about the four steps your company can take to develop a business continuation plan, send your request to me and I will send you a document titled "Business Continuation Plan: 4 Steps in the Planning Process" that details each of the steps discussed in this issue of risKey.