The BCP should present all the steps that staff are expected to follow in the aftermath of an incident, to maintain essential operations and return to ‘business as usual’ as soon as possible.
The structure and detail of the BCP will vary from business to business and from location to location, but in general should include:
The initial response:
- Clear roles and responsibilities for those who will take charge of coordinating the initial response and from where, in each location
- Those working with emergency services have access to any information and prepared response packs
- Factors determining shelter in place of part or full evacuation of premises
- Arranging internal and external communications
Longer-term planning:
- When and how alternative accommodation and facilities will be utilised
- Arrangements to maintaining access to key records and IT systems
- Contingency arrangement for critical operations, for example financial transactions, client orders
- How the appropriate staff will be able to access any contingency sites
- Agreed procedures and conditions for returning to busines as usual
- How to keep staff informed of important information