Course Details

Business Continuity Management Policy Development and Governance Training Course

Introduction

In an increasingly complex and volatile global landscape, effective Business Continuity Management (BCM) is not merely an operational necessity but a strategic imperative. Our intensive 10-day "Business Continuity Management Policy Development and Governance" training course is meticulously designed for senior managers, BCM program leads, and governance professionals who are tasked with establishing and upholding the robust framework that underpins organizational resilience. This program delves into the critical processes of crafting, implementing, and enforcing comprehensive BCM policies that align with strategic objectives, regulatory mandates, and international best practices, ensuring your organization can withstand and recover from any disruption.

This advanced course goes beyond the fundamentals of BCM, focusing on the foundational elements of strong governance, stakeholder engagement, and the intricate details of policy formulation. Participants will gain the expertise to design a resilient BCM framework, define clear roles and responsibilities, establish performance metrics, and foster a culture of continuity throughout the enterprise. By mastering BCM policy development and governance, you will empower your organization to proactively manage risks, maintain operational integrity, and protect its reputation and value in the face of unforeseen challenges.

Duration

10 days

Target Audience

The "Business Continuity Management Policy Development and Governance" training course is specifically designed for senior professionals and those in leadership roles who are responsible for establishing, overseeing, and ensuring the effectiveness of their organization's Business Continuity Management program. This includes:

• BCM Program Managers and Coordinators: Seeking to enhance their skills in governance, policy formulation, and strategic oversight.
• Senior Management and Executives: Who are accountable for organizational resilience and risk management.
• Risk Management Professionals: Focused on integrating BCM into the broader enterprise risk management framework.
• Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Officers: Ensuring BCM policies meet legal and industry-specific requirements.
• Internal and External Auditors: Evaluating the effectiveness of BCM governance and policy adherence.
• Corporate Governance Professionals: Involved in establishing board-level oversight for organizational resilience.
• Information Security Managers: Bridging the gap between cybersecurity and business continuity.
• Legal Counsel: Advising on legal obligations and liabilities related to business continuity.
• Consultants: Specializing in BCM strategy, policy, and governance for clients.
• Heads of Departments: With critical business functions that require robust continuity planning.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the "Business Continuity Management Policy Development and Governance" training course, participants will be able to:

• Formulate a comprehensive BCM policy that aligns with organizational strategy and objectives.
• Establish a robust BCM governance framework with clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities.
• Understand the key elements required for an effective BCM program charter and scope.
• Develop a BCM framework based on international standards (e.g., ISO 22301) and best practices.
• Design effective communication and reporting structures for BCM performance to executive management and the board.
• Implement mechanisms for continuous monitoring, review, and improvement of the BCM policy and program.
• Address legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations in BCM policy development.
• Integrate BCM governance with enterprise risk management and corporate governance structures.
• Develop metrics and KPIs to measure the effectiveness and maturity of the BCM program.
• Foster a strong organizational culture that prioritizes and supports business continuity.

Course Modules

Module 1: The Strategic Imperative of BCM Governance

• Understanding the strategic value and necessity of strong BCM governance.
• The role of the Board and Executive Management in BCM oversight and accountability.
• Aligning BCM with organizational strategy, mission, vision, and values.
• Legal and fiduciary duties of directors regarding organizational resilience.
• Case studies of governance failures and their impact on business continuity.

Module 2: Developing the BCM Policy Framework

• Key components and structure of a comprehensive BCM policy.
• Defining the scope, purpose, and objectives of the BCM policy.
• Establishing a clear policy statement and commitment from top management.
• Linking the BCM policy to relevant corporate policies (e.g., risk management, IT security, HR).
• Gaining stakeholder buy-in and approval for the BCM policy.

Module 3: BCM Governance Structure & Responsibilities

• Designing an effective BCM governance model (e.g., BCM Steering Committee, working groups).
• Defining roles, responsibilities, and authorities for all levels (strategic, tactical, operational).
• Establishing clear lines of accountability for BCM program elements.
• Developing Terms of Reference (ToR) for BCM committees and roles.
• Integrating BCM roles into existing organizational structures and job descriptions.

Module 4: BCM Program Management & Oversight

• Establishing a formal BCM Program Management Office (PMO) or function.
• Developing a BCM program charter: objectives, scope, resources, timeline.
• Managing BCM projects and initiatives from a governance perspective.
• Budgeting and resource allocation for the BCM program.
• Implementing program-level risk management and issue resolution.

Module 5: Compliance and Regulatory Alignment

• Identifying and interpreting relevant BCM regulations and industry standards (e.g., KCAA, Banking Act, ISO 22301).
• Mapping regulatory requirements to BCM policy statements and controls.
• Ensuring BCM policies address data protection and privacy laws (e.g., Kenya's Data Protection Act, 2019).
• Understanding contractual obligations and service level agreements (SLAs) related to BCM.
• Strategies for demonstrating regulatory compliance and audit readiness.

Module 6: Risk Management Integration in BCM Governance

• Integrating BCM governance with the broader Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework.
• Establishing clear responsibilities for risk identification, assessment, and mitigation within BCM.
• Aligning risk appetite with BCM continuity strategies and recovery objectives.
• Reporting on BCM-related risks to risk committees and the board.
• Using risk intelligence to inform and update BCM policy and strategy.

Module 7: Performance Measurement, Monitoring & Reporting

• Developing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) for BCM.
• Establishing a framework for continuous monitoring of BCM program effectiveness.
• Designing comprehensive BCM reports for various stakeholders (operations, executive, board).
• Frequency and content of BCM performance reviews.
• Using BCM maturity models to assess program growth and identify areas for improvement.

Module 8: Policy Implementation, Communication & Training

• Strategies for effective communication and rollout of the BCM policy across the organization.
• Developing training and awareness programs to embed BCM principles into the culture.
• Ensuring policy adherence through clear guidelines and procedures.
• Managing policy exceptions and deviations.
• Fostering a culture of resilience and continuous improvement.

Module 9: Auditing BCM Governance & Policy Effectiveness

• Understanding the role of internal and external audits in BCM.
• Audit methodologies for assessing BCM policy compliance and governance effectiveness.
• Key areas for BCM audit focus: policy adherence, governance structure, testing results, documentation.
• Responding to audit findings and implementing corrective actions.
• Preparing for regulatory inspections and external certifications (e.g., ISO 22301).

Module 10: Policy Review, Update & Continuous Improvement

• Establishing a formal review cycle for the BCM policy and governance framework.
• Triggers for policy review: organizational changes, regulatory updates, incidents, test results.
• Managing policy versions and documentation control.
• Lessons learned from incidents and tests for policy refinement.
• Strategic roadmap for advancing BCM maturity and resilience over time.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com