Course Details

Developing Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) Training Course

Introduction

In an era defined by increasing volatility and uncertainty, the ability of an organization to swiftly resume critical operations following a disruptive event is a non-negotiable aspect of its survival and sustained success. Our intensive 10-day "Developing Business Continuity Plans (BCPs)" training course is meticulously designed to provide professionals with the in-depth knowledge and practical skills required to create robust, actionable, and effective Business Continuity Plans. Building upon the foundational insights derived from a Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and risk assessment, this course guides participants through the entire lifecycle of BCP development, ensuring that critical functions can be restored efficiently and effectively, safeguarding the organization's reputation, financial stability, and stakeholder trust.

This hands-on program focuses on the practical application of BCM principles, from structuring the plan and outlining recovery procedures to establishing communication protocols and resource allocation. Participants will learn how to translate strategic recovery objectives into detailed operational steps, identify essential resources, and define roles and responsibilities during a crisis. By the end of this comprehensive training, you will be proficient in constructing a full-fledged BCP, empowering your organization to navigate disruptions with confidence, minimize downtime, and maintain essential services in the face of unforeseen challenges.

Duration

10 Days

Target Audience

The "Developing Business Continuity Plans (BCPs)" training course is essential for professionals who will be directly involved in the creation, implementation, and maintenance of their organization's business continuity plans. This includes:

• Business Continuity Coordinators/Managers: The primary audience, directly responsible for BCP development.
• Department Heads and Process Owners: Who will be responsible for developing continuity procedures for their specific areas.
• IT Professionals and Disaster Recovery Planners: Involved in the technical recovery of systems and data, needing to integrate with overall BCPs.
• Operations Managers: Focused on ensuring the continuity of essential operational processes.
• Risk Management Professionals: Ensuring risk mitigation strategies are embedded within BCPs.
• Emergency Response Team Members: Those who will execute parts of the BCP during an incident.
• Compliance Officers: Ensuring BCPs meet regulatory and audit requirements.
• Project Managers: Overseeing initiatives that require robust continuity planning.
• Internal Auditors: Evaluating the completeness and effectiveness of BCPs.
• Anyone responsible for ensuring the operational resilience of their organization.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the "Developing Business Continuity Plans (BCPs)" training course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the structure and key components of a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan (BCP).
• Translate Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and risk assessment outputs into actionable recovery strategies.
• Define clear roles, responsibilities, and reporting structures for BCP execution.
• Develop detailed recovery procedures for critical business processes and supporting IT systems.
• Establish effective communication plans for internal and external stakeholders during a disruption.
• Identify and secure necessary resources (personnel, facilities, technology, data) for recovery.
• Integrate various response plans (incident management, crisis communication, disaster recovery) into the BCP.
• Write clear, concise, and user-friendly BCP documentation.
• Understand the importance of BCP testing and maintenance for ongoing effectiveness.
• Contribute effectively to their organization's ability to respond to and recover from disruptive incidents.

Course Modules

Module 1: The BCP within the BCM Framework

• Recap of Business Continuity Management (BCM) lifecycle and its phases.
• The role of BCPs as the operational backbone of a BCM program.
• How BIA and Risk Assessment feed directly into BCP development.
• Key principles of BCP development: clarity, flexibility, scalability.
• Common challenges in BCP development and how to overcome them.

Module 2: BCP Structure and Components

• Standard sections and typical content of a comprehensive BCP.
• Understanding the purpose of each section (e.g., introduction, scope, activation criteria, recovery strategies).
• Designing a modular and user-friendly BCP structure.
• Importance of an executive summary and quick reference guides.
• Developing clear document control and versioning mechanisms.

Module 3: Establishing Roles, Responsibilities & Teams

• Defining the Incident Response Team (IRT) and their initial actions.
• Roles and responsibilities of the Business Continuity Team (BCT) during a disruption.
• Establishing a Crisis Management Team (CMT) for strategic oversight.
• Creating a clear command and control structure for incident response.
• Developing contact lists and communication trees for all team members.

Module 4: Recovery Strategies & Solutions

• Review of various continuity strategies for critical business functions.
• Developing detailed IT Disaster Recovery (DR) plans and integrating them into the BCP.
• Strategies for data backup, recovery, and integrity.
• Options for alternative work sites and facilities (hot, warm, cold sites, remote work).
• Ensuring availability of critical equipment, supplies, and vital records.

Module 5: Developing Recovery Procedures (Part 1: Business Operations)

• Translating BIA findings into specific recovery procedures for critical business processes.
• Step-by-step guides for manual workarounds and temporary solutions.
• Defining minimum staffing requirements and skill sets for recovery.
• Procedures for engaging and managing critical third-party vendors and suppliers.
• Establishing acceptable service levels during recovery.

Module 6: Developing Recovery Procedures (Part 2: IT Systems & Data)

• Detailed procedures for restoring critical IT applications and infrastructure.
• Data recovery plans: order of restoration, data synchronization, integrity checks.
• Network and connectivity recovery procedures.
• Procedures for testing recovered systems and data.
• Security considerations during IT system recovery.

Module 7: Communication Plans & Protocols

• Developing internal communication strategies for employees, BCM teams, and management.
• Crafting external communication plans for customers, media, regulators, and public.
• Pre-scripted messages and communication templates for various scenarios.
• Establishing crisis communication channels (e.g., dedicated website, hotline, social media).
• Protocols for communicating during partial or total loss of normal communication means.

Module 8: Resource Management & Logistics

• Identifying essential human resources and backup personnel.
• Planning for transportation, accommodation, and welfare of recovery personnel.
• Managing critical equipment and supplies for recovery sites.
• Ensuring access to vital records, documents, and intellectual property.
• Contingency plans for financial resources and procurement during a crisis.

Module 9: BCP Documentation & Integration

• Writing clear, concise, and actionable BCP content for various users.
• Utilizing flowcharts, checklists, and visual aids for quick reference.
• Ensuring consistency and cross-referencing between different plan sections.
• Integrating the BCP with Incident Response Plans, Crisis Communication Plans, and DR plans.
• Establishing a secure and accessible location for BCP documents (physical and electronic).

Module 10: BCP Testing, Training & Maintenance Planning

• Understanding the importance of BCP testing: types of tests (walk-throughs, tabletop, simulation).
• Developing a BCP testing schedule and objectives.
• Planning for BCP training and awareness programs for all relevant personnel.
• Establishing a clear process for BCP review, update, and change management.
• Lessons learned from tests and actual incidents for continuous BCP improvement.

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