Case Study Exercise [4]: Key Concepts [B]

Key Concept [B]

[1] Maximum Tolerable Downtime (MTD)

How do you go about deriving the Maximum Tolerable Downtime (MTD) ?

For example the MTD is stipulated and provided by executive management based on operations and regulatory requirements.  This should somehow be obtained at the onset of the BCP project.

[2] Minimum Business Continuity Objectives (MBCO)

How do you obtain the Minimum Business Continuity Objectives (MBCO) ?

For example the MBCO could be derived based on/reflect the organization’s vision and mission statement.  Concurrence of the MBCOs should be solicited and obtained from executive management at the onset of the BCP project.

Example of Corporate MBCO

An illustration of such a corporate MBCO could be  :

“The corporate Minimum Business Continuity Objective (MBCO) for AllSafe Bank is to continue with the provision of critical and essential business functions during a disaster in a timely and accurate manner”

[3] BCM Policy

3.  What should a BCM Policy contain ?

For example staff BC roles and responsibilities, the BC Plan pertinence, timeliness and accuracy.  The policy underpins all BC efforts and activities and should be signed off by a member of the executive management tasked with overseeing the BCP project and program – the chairperson of the BCM Steering Committee.

Sample BCM Policy Statements

• There shall be a BC Plan and established and adequately maintained BC Plan.
• Individual BU heads are responsible for maintaining the relevancy and currency of BC procedures pertaining to their operations.
• The BC Plan shall be audited annually.

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