The ABCs of BCPs: Business Continuity Planning for Small Businesses

A BCP, or business continuity plan, is an essential document that all small businesses need to develop. While you may think that a business continuity plan is going to be expense or complicated to develop you are wrong. These plans can be pulled together in relatively little time and they can be implemented with little costs.

A - Acknowledge Your Company's Needs

The first step in developing a business continuity plan is to identify what your company needs to operate at its most basic level. For example, identify the equipment, technology, data, personnel, supplies and infrastructures that are essential to your company's continued operation. Think about the things that your company cannot live without.

B - Build Backup Plans

The second step is to develop a backup plan for your essential functions of operation. These backup plans will need to start with protecting your company's data. One mistake that many company's make when backing up their data is that they either store the backup on their regular hard drives or they store their backed up data on site. Both of these options make the backups vulnerable to the same hazards that will impact the primary data. It is a good idea to store your backed up data offsite by either utilizing storage devises that are stored in a fireproof safe offsite or by utilizing a virtual backup company.

Other things that need backups include suppliers, shippers, power and transportation.

C - Create a Checklist

Step three is to create a checklist that will outline the steps that your staff needs to take to respond effectively to a disaster situation. These steps will clearly show staff members where to find safety equipment, how to switch over to disaster power sources, where to find medical supplies and how to communicate during a disaster with other staff members and with the backup database.

D - Drill for Proficiency

The final step is to practice the disaster actions in semi-annual or annual drills. The drills will need to replicate various disaster situations, such as fires, earthquakes, tornadoes or even terrorist attacks. The drills will help to train staff members on what to do during a disaster and it will help make their response less panicked when a disaster actually strikes.

E - Educate Your Company

It is important to keep up with your company's awareness of disaster issues. It is a good idea to stay up-to-date with the latest hazards that can impact your company and its operation, and to stay up-to-date with the latest warning and mitigation technologies for businesses and specific hazards.

References

http://www.ready.gov