---
title: "[OR] [FW] [PO] Operational Resilience: Framework vs Policy"
description: "[OR] [FW] [PO] Operational Resilience: Framework vs Policy"
image: https://blog.bcm-institute.org/hubfs/Operational%20Resilience%20OR/Operational%20Resilience%20Morepost/OR%20Framework%20Morepost/IC_OR_Framework_Framework%20vs%20Policy.png
---

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###### Operational Resilience Framework and Policy Series

![BB OR 3](https://blog.bcm-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/BB%20OR%20%5BAi%20Gen%20Blog%20Photo%5D/BB%20OR%20Template/BB%20OR%203.jpg?width=2000&height=1333&name=BB%20OR%203.jpg "BB OR 3")

# \[OR\] \[FW\] \[PO\] Operational Resilience: Framework vs Policy

In today’s fast-evolving risk landscape, operational resilience has emerged as a critical capability for organisations seeking to withstand disruptions and continue delivering critical business services.

As institutions design and implement resilience programs, two foundational components often arise: the **Operational Resilience Framework** and the **Operational Resilience Policy**.

While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they serve distinct roles within an organisation’s resilience strategy.

[Moh Heng Goh](https://blog.bcm-institute.org/operational-resilience/author/moh-heng-goh) Apr 5, 2025

###### Operational Resilience Certified Planner-Specialist-Expert

### **Operational Resilience Framework vs Operational Resilience Policy: Understanding the Difference**

[![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3893111/e8d0038d-cb9a-47a1-bcb3-08d75e36d336.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3893111/e8d0038d-cb9a-47a1-bcb3-08d75e36d336)In today’s fast-evolving risk landscape, operational resilience has emerged as a critical capability for organisations seeking to withstand disruptions and continue delivering critical business services.

As institutions design and implement resilience programs, two foundational components often arise: the **Operational Resilience Framework** and the **Operational Resilience Policy**.

While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they serve distinct roles within an organisation’s resilience strategy.

This article outlines the differences between these two important elements, their interconnections, and their complementary roles.

#### **Definition and Purpose**

##### **Operational Resilience Framework**

The **Operational Resilience Framework** is a comprehensive structure that outlines how an organisation identifies, manages, and adapts to disruptions that threaten its critical operations.

It encompasses the processes, governance, roles, tools, and metrics used to build resilience across the enterprise.

- **Purpose:** To provide a structured, strategic, and holistic approach to achieving operational resilience objectives.
- **Scope:** Broad and system-wide, often incorporating multiple disciplines such as risk management, business continuity, IT disaster recovery, third-party risk, cyber resilience, and crisis management.
- **Focus:** Implementation and integration of operational resilience capabilities.

##### **Operational Resilience Policy**

The **Operational Resilience Policy** is a formal document that defines the organisation’s stance, principles, and expectations regarding operational resilience.

It outlines senior management's commitment, sets high-level objectives, and defines governance and accountability.

- **Purpose:** To establish the intent, guiding principles, and governance requirements for operational resilience.
- **Scope:** Narrower than the framework; focused on policy directives, boundaries, and oversight.
- **Focus:** Governance, compliance, and accountability.

#### **Key Components**

 

| ###### Component | ###### Operational Resilience Framework | ###### Operational Resilience Policy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Governance Structure** | Describes roles, responsibilities, escalation paths | Identifies accountable parties (e.g., CRO, Board) |
| **Strategy and Objectives** | Provides execution roadmap and milestones | States the organisation’s resilience vision and goals |
| **Critical Operations** | Details mapping, impact tolerances, and dependency analysis | Outlines the commitment to identifying critical services |
| **Tools and Methodologies** | Includes risk assessments, scenario testing, monitoring tools | Not typically included |
| **Regulatory Alignment** | Aligns with specific jurisdictional guidelines (e.g., FCA, RBI, BSP) | Asserts compliance intentions |
| **Update Mechanism** | Regularly reviewed based on risk environment | Scheduled for periodic review and Board approval |

#### **Interdependence**

The **policy** sets the tone and direction, while the **framework** provides the means to implement and operationalise those directives.

- The **Operational Resilience Policy** acts as the foundation. It is typically approved by senior leadership and reflects the organisation’s top-down commitment to resilience.
- The **Operational Resilience Framework** translates this commitment into action, ensuring all business units, support functions, and stakeholders understand how to embed resilience into their day-to-day operations.

#### **Ownership and Approval**

- **Policy**: Owned by the Risk or Compliance department, approved by the Board or Executive Committee. It is a governance-level document.
- **Framework**: Owned by the Operational Resilience function or the Chief Risk Officer (CRO), reviewed and endorsed by relevant governance bodies such as the Risk Management Committee.

#### **Regulatory Context**

Increasingly, regulators across jurisdictions are mandating both a documented policy and a practical framework:

- The **UK FCA and PRA** require firms to define impact tolerances and demonstrate a clear framework for resilience testing.
- The **Reserve Bank of India (RBI)** and the **Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)** highlight the need for governance-driven policies and implementation mechanisms.
- **APRA CPS 230 (Australia)** similarly mandates both strategic intent (policy) and operational capabilities (framework).

#### **Practical Example**

**A multinational bank** may have an Operational Resilience Policy that:

- States its commitment to continuing critical business services and operations within defined impact tolerances,
- Assigns accountability to the Chief Operating Officer,
- Requires compliance with global regulatory expectations.

Its Operational Resilience Framework, on the other hand, would do the following:

- Identify critical business services,
- Map internal and external dependencies,
- Establish monitoring dashboards and testing protocols,
- Integrate with third-party risk and IT disaster recovery procedures.

### Summing Up ...

While the **Operational Resilience Policy** provides the "why" and "who" behind the organisation's resilience efforts, the **Operational Resilience Framework** delivers the "how."

Together, they form a powerful duo: one provides strategic intent and governance, and the other ensures effective implementation and ongoing resilience in the face of disruption.

Organisations that treat both components equally will be better positioned to manage operational risks and protect critical services.

 

| **Operational Resilience Framework Versus Policy** |  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
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