[BCM] [MC] [E2] [C6] List of Critical Business Functions

Mastering Implementation: BCM Methodology Tailored to Marymount Centre

Chapter 6

What are Marymount Centre’s Critical Business Functions Concerning BCM?

In Business Continuity Management (BCM), identifying and safeguarding critical business functions (CBFs) is paramount to ensuring an organisation’s resilience to disruptions.

Identifying CBFs is a procedural and moral imperative for Marymount Centre in Singapore.

This non-profit organisation supports vulnerable individuals through residential homes, care centres, and student care services.

This chapter delves into Marymount Centre's critical business functions and their significance in maintaining operational continuity during crises.

Understanding Marymount Centre’s Core Operations

Marymount Centre operates several key entities, each playing a vital role in its mission to provide care and support to its residents and clients:

1. Ahuva Good Shepherd: This division consists of three residential homes. It provides shelter, care, and rehabilitation for individuals recovering from trauma and personal challenges.

2. Good Shepherd Centre: This facility offers comprehensive programmes aimed at helping clients rebuild their lives through counselling, therapy, and skill-building initiatives.

3. Good Shepherd Student Care: This service, focused on the younger demographic, provides after-school care and developmental support for students.

These entities collectively form the backbone of Marymount Centre’s operations, each contributing uniquely to the organisation’s overarching goal of fostering resilience and recovery among its beneficiaries.

Identifying Critical Business Functions

The Business Impact Analysis (BIA) phase of BCM involves identifying the essential functions for the organisation’s survival and continued service delivery.

For Marymount Centre, the following critical business functions have been identified:

Residential Care Services

• Function: Providing 24/7 care and support to residents in the Ahuva Good Shepherd homes.

• Criticality: Any disruption in this function could jeopardize the safety and well-being of residents, making it the highest priority.

Counselling and Therapy Services

• Function: Delivering psychological support and therapeutic interventions to clients at the Good Shepherd Centre.

• Criticality: Essential for clients' mental health and recovery, with potential long-term impacts if interrupted.

Student Care and Development Programmes

• Function: Offering after-school care, academic support, and student developmental activities.

• Criticality: This is vital for students' educational and personal growth, and disruptions could affect their academic performance and social development.

Administrative and Support Services

• Function: Managing Marymount Centre's operational, financial, and logistical activities.

• Criticality: Ensures the smooth functioning of all other services, with disruptions leading to operational inefficiencies and potential service delivery issues.

Mapping Critical Business Functions to BCM

To ensure the continuity of these critical business functions, Marymount Centre must develop and implement robust BCM strategies. This involves:

Risk Assessment and Mitigation

• Identifying potential risks (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics, cyber-attacks) that could disrupt operations.

• Implementing mitigation measures such as backup power supplies, data protection protocols, and emergency response plans.

  Resource Allocation

  
  

• Ensuring sufficient resources (e.g., staff, funding, equipment) are allocated to maintain critical functions during a disruption.

• Establishing partnerships with external organizations for additional support if needed.

  Communication Plans

  
  

• Developing clear communication channels to keep staff, residents, clients, and stakeholders informed during a crisis.

• Regularly updating contact lists and conducting communication drills to ensure preparedness.

Training and Awareness

• Conducting regular training sessions for staff on BCM protocols and emergency response procedures.

• Raising awareness among residents and clients about the steps to take during a disruption.

Summing Up ...

Identifying and protecting critical business functions is integral to Marymount Centre's mission of providing unwavering support to those in need.

By understanding the criticality of its residential care, counselling, student care, and administrative services, Marymount Centre can develop a comprehensive BCM framework that ensures resilience and continuity in adversity.

This chapter underscores the importance of a proactive approach to BCM, highlighting the need for continuous assessment, planning, and preparedness to safeguard the well-being of its beneficiaries and the sustainability of its operations.

In the next chapter, we will explore the development of a detailed BCM Strategy (BCS) tailored to Marymount Centre’s unique operational landscape, ensuring that the organisation remains a beacon of hope and support for its community, no matter the challenges it may face.

This chapter provides a detailed guide for Marymount Centre to conduct a Business Impact Analysis, ensuring the organisation is well-prepared to maintain its critical services and support its clients during any disruption.

This chapter is part 2 of the eBook "Blueprint for Resilience: A Step-by-Step BCM Framework for Marymount Centre."   Part 2 of the eBook is titled "Mastering Implementation: BCM Methodology Tailored to Marymount Centre", which provides a comprehensive guide to implementing a BCM system in alignment with ISO 22301