Course Details

Business Continuity Management Program Management and Oversight Training Course

Introduction

In an increasingly complex and unpredictable world, a robust Business Continuity Management (BCM) program is a fundamental pillar of organizational resilience. However, the true effectiveness of BCM extends far beyond the mere existence of plans; it lies in the strategic management, diligent oversight, and continuous improvement of the entire program. Without strong program management, even well-designed individual plans can become outdated, misaligned with business objectives, or fail to receive the necessary resources and executive support. Our intensive 10-day "Business Continuity Management Program Management and Oversight" training course is meticulously designed to equip BCM leaders, program managers, risk professionals, and internal auditors with the advanced knowledge, best practices, and practical tools required to establish, mature, and strategically manage a comprehensive BCM program that delivers demonstrable value and ensures sustained organizational resilience.

This comprehensive program will guide participants through the intricacies of BCM program governance, lifecycle management, performance measurement, and strategic alignment. You will learn how to design an effective BCM framework, secure and manage program resources, develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and key risk indicators (KRIs), implement robust testing and maintenance schedules, and report on program effectiveness to senior leadership and the Board. By the end of this course, you will be proficient in establishing and maintaining a world-class BCM program that is fully integrated into the organization's risk management framework, compliant with regulatory requirements, and capable of adapting to evolving threats, ultimately safeguarding your organization's mission and long-term sustainability.

Duration

10 Days

Target Audience

The "Business Continuity Management Program Management and Oversight" training course is designed for professionals who are responsible for the strategic direction, implementation, and ongoing management of an organization's Business Continuity Management program. This includes:

• Chief Business Continuity Officers/Directors: Directly leading the BCM function.
• BCM Program Managers/Leads: Responsible for the day-to-day management and maturation of the BCM program.
• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Professionals: Integrating BCM within the broader risk framework.
• Internal and External Auditors: Evaluating the effectiveness and compliance of BCM programs.
• Compliance Officers: Ensuring BCM adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Heads of Corporate Governance: Overseeing strategic resilience and risk management.
• Senior IT Disaster Recovery Managers: Seeking to align DR with broader BCM program objectives.
• Consultants: Advising clients on BCM program development and maturity.
• Department Heads/Functional Leaders: Who have significant oversight responsibilities for BCM within their areas.
• Quality Assurance Managers: Involved in process improvement and effectiveness measurement for BCM.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the "Business Continuity Management Program Management and Oversight" training course, participants will be able to:

• Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive Business Continuity Management program aligned with international standards and best practices.
• Establish effective BCM governance structures, roles, and responsibilities across the organization.
• Develop a robust BCM lifecycle management process, including planning, implementation, testing, and maintenance.
• Implement a strategic approach to BCM risk assessment and Business Impact Analysis at a program level.
• Define, collect, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) and key risk indicators (KRIs) for BCM program effectiveness.
• Develop a sustainable BCM training, awareness, and exercise program that fosters organizational resilience.
• Manage program resources, including budget, personnel, and technological tools, efficiently.
• Ensure BCM program compliance with relevant legal, regulatory, and industry-specific requirements.
• Conduct independent reviews and audits of the BCM program to drive continuous improvement.
• Communicate the strategic value and effectiveness of the BCM program to senior leadership and the Board.

Course Modules

Module 1: Strategic Foundations of BCM Program Management

• Understanding the distinction between individual BCM plans and a holistic BCM program.
• The strategic importance of effective BCM program management and its link to organizational resilience.
• Overview of international BCM standards (e.g., ISO 22301) and frameworks (e.g., NIST, BCI Good Practice Guidelines).
• Defining the BCM program vision, mission, and strategic objectives.
• Integrating the BCM program with Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and other GRC (Governance, Risk, Compliance) functions.

Module 2: BCM Program Governance & Organizational Structure

• Designing an effective BCM governance structure: steering committees, working groups, departmental coordinators.
• Defining clear roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities for BCM at all organizational levels.
• Developing a BCM policy and charter that provides authority and direction for the program.
• Establishing a BCM office or dedicated function and its reporting lines.
• Securing executive sponsorship and continuous leadership engagement for the program.

Module 3: BCM Program Lifecycle Management

• Understanding the BCM lifecycle: policy, analysis, design, implementation, validation, and maintenance.
• Developing a program management methodology for BCM activities.
• Managing BCM projects and initiatives across various business units.
• Establishing a centralized repository for all BCM documentation and artifacts.
• Utilizing BCM software and tools for efficient program management.

Module 4: Program-Level Risk Assessment & Business Impact Analysis

• Conducting a strategic risk assessment to identify enterprise-wide threats to continuity.
• Managing the Business Impact Analysis (BIA) process across the organization at a program level.
• Ensuring consistency and quality of BIA results across different departments/functions.
• Aggregating BIA data to provide a holistic view of organizational criticality and interdependencies.
• Using BIA insights to inform overall program priorities and resource allocation.

Module 5: BCM Program Design & Strategy Implementation

• Developing a comprehensive BCM program strategy based on risk appetite and BIA outcomes.
• Designing overarching continuity solutions (e.g., alternate facilities strategy, IT recovery architecture, supply chain resilience).
• Guiding departments in developing their specific business continuity plans (BCPs) and IT Disaster Recovery (DR) plans.
• Standardizing plan templates, methodologies, and quality control.
• Managing the implementation of program-wide resilience initiatives.

Module 6: BCM Program Training, Awareness & Exercising

• Developing a strategic training and awareness program for all employees and stakeholders.
• Designing a comprehensive exercise program, including tabletop, functional, and full-scale simulations.
• Ensuring exercises validate the entire BCM program, not just individual plans.
• Managing the documentation of exercise results, lessons learned, and corrective actions at a program level.
• Fostering a culture of preparedness and continuous learning through training and engagement.

Module 7: Performance Measurement, Metrics & Reporting

• Defining key performance indicators (KPIs) for BCM program effectiveness and maturity.
• Developing key risk indicators (KRIs) to monitor emerging threats to continuity.
• Establishing a robust data collection and reporting framework for BCM metrics.
• Crafting executive-level dashboards and reports for senior management and the Board.
• Communicating the value and ROI of the BCM program in business terms.

Module 8: BCM Program Maintenance & Continuous Improvement

• Establishing a systematic review and update cycle for the entire BCM program and its components.
• Managing change control for BCM documentation and procedures.
• Implementing a robust post-incident review process to capture lessons learned from real-world events.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives based on audit findings, exercises, and industry best practices.
• Benchmarking the BCM program against peers and leading standards.

Module 9: Compliance, Audit & Assurance for BCM Programs

• Understanding the legal, regulatory, and contractual compliance requirements for BCM (e.g., local regulations in Kenya, sector-specific mandates).
• Preparing for internal and external audits of the BCM program.
• Managing audit findings, corrective action plans, and follow-up.
• Obtaining independent assurance on the effectiveness of the BCM program.
• Developing a compliance matrix for BCM regulations.

Module 10: Advanced Topics & Future Trends in BCM Program Management

• Integrating BCM with organizational resilience frameworks (e.g., operational resilience).
• Managing BCM in complex, multi-national organizations.
• Leveraging advanced analytics and emerging technologies (AI, automation) for BCM.
• Addressing future challenges: climate change, geopolitical instability, advanced cyber threats.
• Developing a strategic roadmap for maturing the BCM program over the next 3-5 years.

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