Having a Disaster Recovery plan in place is a good thing. Taking it to the next level and having a Business Continuity Plan in place is a great thing. Wait? What’s the difference? and why should you have both? I’m glad you asked……
First, let’s look at the differences between the two:
Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) – Most, well some, of us had our first experience with a DRP back in 1999. Remember Y2K? Boy was getting ready for that non-eventuality a lot of work. Good did come from the experience, though, as businesses embraced the importance of having a DRP in place. A DRP provides a step by step, detailed strategy, for employees to follow during and immediately after a disaster. Most DRP plans focus around the IT infrastructure which provides a documented (typically in printed form) process or set of procedures taken to recover and/or protect a business IT infrastructure in order to “open for business” as quickly as possible after a disaster.
Business Continuity Plan (BCP) — A BCP incorporates a DRP and then builds on it. Think of it this way: A business continuity plan is a roadmap for continuing operations under adverse conditions such as a storm or a crime. Having a BCP in place provides your organization with the tools needed to navigate through what might be seen as small, but still impactful disasters, such as a key employees extended illness; the sudden departure of key employees; supply chain disruptions or other such challenges that may (and will) rear their ugly head from time to time. The goal of a BCP is to recreate your business from scratch in as little time as possible using the roadmap created by your organization.
As a thriving business, you need both types of plans written and in place. Don’t think (insert what you’d like here) can never happen where we live; or “X” would never think of leaving the company without six months notice. There’s many businesses in New York City who once had one of these types of thoughts they wish they could take back. It’s not easy nor necessarily fun to create a BCP. It doesn’t get done in an hour long meeting. Developing one takes effort and time. But, I’d like to argue that, in doing so you’ll be making a crucial investment in your business. Consider it another type of insurance policy.
Getting started can be overwhelming. Don’t let that get in the way of taking the first step. To help you, here’s a great article outlining key areas which should be included in your companies plan. Basic components of good plan include:
1. Identifying key players and knowing how to reach them (includes employees, customers and supply chain contacts).
2. Secure off-site storage of critical documents such as HR files, customer records, crucial corporate documents. Any documents you, or anyone in our company, can think of which are needed in order to run the company on a day to day basis should be included. The key factor to keep in mind here is that should you need to implement this plan, everything you had in the building where you currently run your business is not accessible any time soon (and perhaps never again).
3. Include your Disaster Recover Plan for quick retrieval of your IT infrastructure.
4. Determine who, what, where and when: Who will be doing what in order to get the company back up and running? What roles does each person play? Where will all of this be taking place? What’s the time frame from the event to back to a new normal?
4. Test, then review, then revise. Repeat.
What’s powerful about walking through and establishing your own companies plan, is the ability to make this a true growth experience. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to really look at procedures and processes; honing both and making them better. Be sure to involve employees from all areas of your business — you might be surprised to learn how things really get done around the office.
Are you still thinking this sounds like a good idea, but it’s just not doable? If this is you or if you just need a sounding board, then give me a call (513-721-3453).
I’d be happy to sit down with you to discuss ways to get started on building your Business Contingency Plan or to help you review your current plan to see how sound it is.
