Often, as part of the discussion on business continuity management (BCM), there is a difference in the way the terms are defined. To ensure consistency in our training of BCM - which includes Crisis Management (CM), Crisis Communication (CC), IT Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP) and Operational Resilience (OR) professionals, the "BCM Umbrella" is one of the several diagrams used to integrate and better explain the holistic view
Business Continuity Management or BCM is a holistic management process for identifying potential impacts from threats, and for developing response plans. The key objective is to increase an organization's resilience to business disruptions and to minimize the impact of such disruptions.
BCM Planning Methodology
Potential threats can endanger the continuity of not only business processes but also, Information Technology (IT) infrastructures, as well as the continuity of supply chain processes. The result of applying the BCM Planning Methodology is a response and recovery plan that will minimize the debilitating impact of threats to allow the continuity of the various business processes.
From the "BCM Umbrella" shown above, an explanation of the disaster recovery for IT, business continuity, supply chain, and crisis.
Disruption to IT: Disaster Recovery Planning
Disaster Recovery Planning or DRP is a process of developing advanced arrangements and procedures that enable an organization to respond to a disaster and resume the critical business and IT applications within a predetermined period of time, minimize the amount of loss, and repair or replace the damaged facilities as soon as possible.
Often, it is spelt out as IT Disaster Recovery because the term "disaster recovery" is often confused or used synonymously with "disaster management".
Disruption to Continuity of Business: Business Continuity
Business Continuity Planning or BCP is the process of developing prior arrangements and procedures that enable an organization to respond to an event in such a manner that critical business functions can continue within planned levels of disruption. The end result of BCP is the BC Plan.
There is a scenario that organisations should consider for the "Disruption to the Availability of People." An example is the Pandemic Influenza or Infectious Disease outbreak. There is two aspects of the plan, one is Pandemic Preparedness Plan and the other Pandemic Flu BC Plan.
Disruption to Suppliers: Supply Chain Continuity
Supply Chain Continuity Management refers to the capability of ensuring an uninterrupted flow of products and services from suppliers to customers within an acceptable level and time frame so as to safeguard the prioritized activities of the organization and interested parties.
Disruption to Organization Due to Crisis
Crisis Management or CM is the overall coordination of an organization's response to a crisis, in an effective, timely manner, with the goal of avoiding or minimizing damage to the organization's profitability, reputation, or ability to operate.
The terms incidents, emergency and events will be explained in another blog.
Reflection
It is important to note that definition is meaningful when everyone involved in the project or program has this common understanding. Often, I hear arguments amongst the team members and even senior management on the objectives of the plan. The bottom line is that they have not even established a common understanding of the terms.
I often had commented that the current definition is wrong and I replied that the key is that plans that are developed are consistent within that particular organization and most importantly, the team will work together with the objective of the "specific" plan being clear and concise to each member executing the plans.
Lastly, if you would like to continue to know more about Crisis and Business Continuity management learning journey, click "Implementing and Managing Your Business Continuity Program"
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