Implementing Business Impact Analysis Phase
Introduction
The Business Impact Analysis (BIA) phase is a critical component of the Business Continuity Management (BCM) Planning Methodology for The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
This phase aims to assess the potential consequences of disruptions to LKCMedicine's critical functions, academic programs, research activities, and administrative operations.
The BIA process identifies key dependencies, determines recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs), and establishes priorities for continuity planning.
Objectives of BIA for LKCMedicine
The objectives of conducting a BIA at LKCMedicine are:
- To identify and prioritize critical academic, research, and administrative functions.
- To assess the impact of disruptions on students, faculty, research projects, and key stakeholders.
- To determine the maximum allowable downtime (MAD) for essential activities.
- To establish acceptable levels of data loss and define RTOs and RPOs.
- To develop a foundation for continuity and recovery strategies tailored to LKCMedicine’s unique needs.
Identifying Critical Functions and Processes
LKCMedicine operates across multiple domains, including education, research, clinical training, and administrative support. The critical functions for the school include:
Academic Functions
- Undergraduate Medical Education (MBBS Program): Delivery of lectures, tutorials, clinical rotations, and assessments.
- Postgraduate Programs & Continuous Medical Education: Training for medical professionals and researchers.
- Student Examinations and Evaluations: Conducting OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations) and written assessments.
Research and Innovation
- Biomedical Research Activities: Laboratory-based, computational, and clinical research projects.
- Grant-Funded Research Projects: Compliance with funding agency requirements and deadlines.
- Research Data Management: Ensuring data integrity, security, and availability.
Clinical and Teaching Facilities
- Anatomy and Simulation Labs: Maintenance of specialised equipment for medical training.
- Clinical Skills Training Centres: Support for medical student interactions with standardized patients.
- Affiliated Hospital and Clinic Collaborations: Coordination with partner healthcare institutions (e.g., Tan Tock Seng Hospital).
Administrative and IT Support
- Student and Faculty Records Management: Maintaining access to essential academic records.
- IT Infrastructure & Learning Management Systems (LMS): Ensuring uptime for platforms such as NTU Learn and research databases.
- Finance and HR Operations: Payroll processing, grant management, and staff support.
Impact Analysis of Disruptions
To assess the impact of disruptions, LKCMedicine evaluates each critical function based on the following impact categories:
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Impact Category
|
Description
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| Academic Disruption |
Delays in student learning, course delivery, and assessments. |
| Research Disruption |
Loss of experimental data, grant funding compliance risks. |
| Regulatory Compliance |
Failure to meet accreditation and funding agency requirements. |
| Financial Impact |
Loss of tuition revenue, grant funding, and increased operational costs. |
| Reputation Damage |
Impact on LKCMedicine’s global ranking and collaborations. |
| Health & Safety |
Risks to students, faculty, and staff, especially in clinical settings. |
Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO)
LKCMedicine must define the acceptable time frame for recovering each critical function and the acceptable data loss limits.
| Critical Function |
RTO |
RPO |
|
Learning Management Systems (LMS)
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2 Hours
|
1 Hour
|
|
Student & Faculty Records
|
4 Hours
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2 Hours
|
|
Clinical Training Activities
|
24 Hours
|
12 Hours
|
|
Research Data
|
8 Hours
|
4 Hours
|
|
Examinations & Assessments
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12 Hours
|
6 Hours
|
Dependencies and Resource Requirements
Identifying key dependencies ensures that LKCMedicine can prioritize recovery efforts effectively:
- IT Systems & Digital Platforms: Online learning, research databases, and student records require robust backup and cybersecurity measures.
- Facilities & Infrastructure: Laboratories, simulation centres, and clinical training spaces need contingency plans for alternative locations.
- Human Resources: Faculty, administrative staff, and external partners are crucial in continuity planning.
- Regulatory & Accreditation Bodies: Compliance with MOH, MOE, and NTU guidelines must be maintained.
Summing Up…
The Business Impact Analysis (BIA) phase is essential for identifying vulnerabilities and ensuring resilience at LKCMedicine.
By prioritizing academic, research, and clinical functions, defining RTOs and RPOs, and establishing impact assessment frameworks, LKCMedicine can develop a BCM strategy that safeguards its medical education and research excellence mission.
The insights gained from this BIA will inform the next phase of the BCM Planning Methodology: Business Continuity Strategies.
More Information About Business Continuity Management Courses
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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