[BL] [1B] [PM] WSQ Funded BCM Training and Project: Developing BCM Structure and Framework

Overview

This series is part of the reading for participants embarking on a BCM implementation using a combination of training with funding from the Singapore government and consulting to develop, implement and finalize its BCM program for an organisation.

If you are not part of the project management team, you may not be aware that your entire training component is funded by the Singapore government under the SkillsFuture SG's company sponsored program.  Hence, there are requirement such as fulfilling the number of contact hours and also the assessment, to fulfill when funding requirement.

Our WSQ Funding BCM project is made up of a series of phases, whereby the findings approved by management will be utilized in the next phase, each with its own group workshops, team discussions, assessments and reports.

BCM Planning Methodology

The 5 (of the 7) main phases or better known as the Business Continuity Management (BCM) Planning Methodology are:

• Risk analysis and review
• Business impact analysis
• Business continuity strategy
• Plan development
• Testing and exercising

Each phase is structured to optimize the allocated time and maximize learning through supplementary readings and offline discussions.

Depending on the size and complexity of the organization, the implementation of each phase could last anywhere from 3 weeks to 1 month (elapse time).  The only exception is the Testing and Exercising phase.

Business Unit BCM Coordinator

When you are nominated to represent your business units (or departments/ division), you are designated as the business unit BCM coordinators.  The standard BCM project implementation involves training appointed business unit BCM coordinators to plan and execute tests and exercises for their own respective departments, and this takes just 1 or 2 weeks.  The key is to equip you with the BCM knowledge so that you can effectively "contextualized" your business functions, products and/or services to the BCM planning process.

At times, your organisation would request for us to conduct the tests and exercises on their behalf, and this would lengthen the amount of time needed. Typically a project running on WSQ modules may have a duration of between 5 to 7 months, depending on the availability of resources, and scheduling.

Handbooks and templates are distributed to project participants at the start of each WSQ module before the workshop. In addition, supplementary reading materials will be provided through email.

Participants are encouraged to make use of these just-in-time, bite-size materials to support their learning. More in-depth discussion and questions may be raised during the group workshop, or subsequent consultation sessions.

You are now ready to start with the first workshop "Running A Risk Assessment".