PgM 7: What is BCM Training & Awareness?

What is Training & Awareness?

The successful embedding of a BC management mindset and culture within an organization is primarily dependent upon it becoming an integral part of the organization’s strategic and day-to-day management ethos in contrast to its traditional ‘bolt on’ role.

A key element in developing a sustainable BCM mindset and culture within an organization is the preparation and delivery of a program to create corporate awareness and enhance the skills, knowledge and experience required to implement, maintain and execute the BC project and program.

The Case for Training & Awareness

The organization is only as strong as its weakest link. Staff members, without proper BCM training and awareness, will doom an otherwise “looks good on paper” BC Plan to failure. This is particularly true for time-sensitive industries which are heavily reliant on the use of technology.

Use of Statistics

According to the study by IDC, the average hourly effect of web site downtime translates into US$6.4 million for retail brokerage and US$2.6 million for credit cards sales authorization. Similar online industries would include home shopping channels, airline reservations centers and package shipping services. These sites typically lose more than US$1 million annually due to downtime.

The lesson here is that in a fast paced world where online transaction is the norm rather than the exception; there is a need to prepare not only the IT systems, but the staff members with the necessary BCM skills and knowledge to recover critical business functions. Failure to do so will hurt the profit margins, and even jeopardize the survival of businesses.

In certain industries, for instance banking, organizations have to meet stringent regulations and legal obligations even though they have been struck by disasters. Hence the very foundation of an awareness and training program should be based upon due diligence in meeting legislated requirements, organizational policies and business goals. Failure to do so will result in the revoking of the business license, unless special leeway is provided for the organization by the regulator.

Objectives

The objectives of the training and awareness are to:

• Impart the BCM knowledge to all level of staff members within the organization
• Familiarize every staff members in the organization with their BC roles and responsibilities
• Impart knowledge of emergency responses and critical business recovery actions
• Increase the level of confidence of shareholders, investors and customers in the organization’s resiliency, thereby safeguarding their investments or service engagements

Tasks

The tasks for this phase are:

• Design an overall framework for awareness and training
• Identify all BC training and awareness needs
• Plan, design, promote and deliver BC training and awareness programs
• Evaluate, refine and maintain BC training and awareness programs throughout the organization

Expected Deliverables of Training & Awareness

These are the deliverables:

• BC training needs analysis for the organization
• BC training and awareness roadmap for the organization
• Planning and management methodology for delivering and administering BC training and awareness programs
   

Reference

Goh, M. H. (2021). Managing & Sustaining Your Business Continuity Management Program. Business Continuity Management Planning Series (3rd ed.). Singapore: GMH Pte Ltd.

Extracted from "Chapter 7: What is Training & Awareness?"

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