In fulfilling its mandate as a bridge between workers and employers, e2i must ensure that its services remain available during times of disruption.
Implementing a structured Business Continuity Management (BCM) Planning Methodology is therefore critical to protect its service delivery, stakeholder trust, and strategic goals.
In alignment with ISO 22301 standards, this chapter outlines the seven phases of the BCM planning methodology as applied to e2i. Each phase is contextualised with specific examples and considerations relevant to e2i’s operational landscape.
To initiate and manage the BCM project, ensuring resources, responsibilities, and timelines are clearly defined.
Establish a BCM Steering Committee comprising representatives from e2i’s key divisions—Operations, Digital Services, Human Resources, and Outreach—to oversee project execution and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
This committee should report progress quarterly to the senior leadership of NTUC.
To identify internal and external threats and assess their likelihood and impact on operations.
Conduct a risk assessment focusing on disruptions to digital platforms (e2i Virtual Career Fair and e2i Online Services) due to cyber threats or system outages, as these channels are critical for ongoing service provision to jobseekers and employers.
To determine critical business functions and the consequences of their disruption.
Identify and prioritise core services such as "Career Coaching Services", "Skills Training Programme Coordination", and "Employer Engagement Events".
Define their Maximum Acceptable Outage (MAO) and Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) to guide recovery strategies.
To develop appropriate recovery strategies to ensure continuity of critical functions.
Implement a hybrid service delivery model that allows for the continuation of key services (e.g., career guidance and employer matching) through both physical touchpoints and digital platforms.
Develop an alternate site strategy that includes a remote work protocol for career coaches and customer support teams.
To document procedures and plans for response and recovery.
Develop function-specific Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) for departments like Client Services and Training Partnerships.
Plans should include step-by-step response actions, roles and responsibilities, and checklists tailored to events such as system downtimes or pandemic outbreaks.
To validate the effectiveness of BCPs and build staff readiness.
Conduct scenario-based tabletop exercises simulating disruptions to a national-level job fair or the e2i website during a peak registration period.
Include both internal staff and external partners (e.g., WSG, training vendors) to validate coordination and communication procedures.
To establish ongoing governance and continuous improvement of the BCM programme.
Integrate BCM into e2i’s annual performance review framework by assigning key performance indicators (KPIs) such as “BCM Training Completion Rate” and “BCP Review Compliance”.
Ensure BCP updates align with NTUC and national resilience frameworks.
Through a structured BCM Planning Methodology aligned with ISO 22301, the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) can build organisational resilience and safeguard its essential services.
By incorporating BCM into its operational culture, e2i ensures it can continue to empower Singapore’s workforce even amidst disruption.
This proactive planning reinforces e2i’s commitment to reliability, trust, and continuous support for the nation’s employability agenda.
Ensuring Service Continuity: BCM Implementation for Employment & Employability |
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| eBook 2: Implementing BCM Planning Methodology | ||||
To learn more about the course and schedule, click the buttons below for the BCM-300 Business Continuity Management Implementer [BCM-3] and the BCM-5000 Business Continuity Management Expert Implementer [BCM-5].
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Please feel free to send us a note if you have any questions. |
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