PD 3: Plan Structure Concepts

Concepts Related to Plan Structure

There is often confusion about terms used to describe the structure of a plan. These terms are used synonymously even though their meanings are different. It is important to differentiate between these terms:

The (plan development) process.
The content.
The format.

These three key concepts encompass totally different aspects of a BC Plan preparation.

The Process

The term “process” used in BC has to do with the overall scope and the course of action for handling the BCP project or BCM program from its conception to its completion and subsequent operation.

The term “process” ought to be viewed similarly as for a project development and implementation life cycle. Figure on the right lists the major BCM Planning Methodology.

The process should also differentiate the "development phases" from the "operation and maintenance phases" of the plan, in other words, the "one-time' phase versus the routine and "ongoing" aspects of BC Plan administration and operation.

The process cycle should encompass the one-time "developmental" phases and the on-going "operational” phases.

The Content

The “content” of the BC Plan focuses on the key structure that makes up the plan template. The structure in the content is indeed important and is one area that is often misunderstood and poorly handled in BC Planning. A good BC Plan should address the following six major structures or often referred to as components:

Reduce
Respond
Recover
Resume
Restore
Return

These six major components make up the substance or the 'body' of the BC Plan.

The Format

The format of the BC Plan is closely associated with style. It relates to how the plan is documented so that it is easy to use and enables quick and efficient reference by all parties involved in the BC Plan.

It is important to view the plan development phase from these three perspectives:

The Process (plan development process)
The Content (recovery workflow structure within the plan)
The Format (style of the plan).

As deficiencies in structure are quite common in all three areas in the BC Plan preparation, many improvements can be made.

Reference

Goh, M. H. (2021). Implementing Your Business Continuity Plan. Business Continuity Management Planning Series (3rd ed.). Singapore: GMH Pte Ltd.

Extracted from "Chapter 3: Plan Structure Concepts"

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