[BCM] [SIT] [E3] [C1] Starting Your BCM Implementation for Singapore Institute of Technology

eBook 3: Chapter 1

Introduction

Welcome to eBook 3 "Starting Your BCM Implementation," the third eBook in the Singapore Institute of Technology’s (SIT) Business Continuity Management (BCM) series.

This guide is designed to help you embark on or update your BCM journey, taking you step-by-step through the four critical phases of the BCM planning methodology: Risk Analysis and Review (RAR), Business Impact Analysis (BIA), Business Continuity Strategy (BCS), and Plan Development (PD).

The foundation for this eBook has been laid by two previous works:  eBook 1"Understanding Your Organisation" and eBook 2 "Implementing BCM Planning Methodology." These pre-reading materials provided essential insights into understanding SIT’s operations and BCM methodology, creating a robust framework for this more detailed guide.

Now, with the foundational knowledge in place, it’s time to dive deeper into the specific requirements of each BCM phase.

As you work through this eBook, you will engage in a comprehensive BCM planning exercise that covers a range of activities and templates crucial to ensuring the resilience of your institution in the face of disruptions.

By progressing into eBook 3, readers and practitioners now drill down into the specific requirements and deliverables for each phase of the BCM planning methodology.

This eBook is not just a theoretical guide—it’s a practical tool that mirrors an actual BCM project, offering a hands-on approach to the BCM planning process.

Purpose of This eBook

This eBook serves as a compilation and reference document for the BCM submissions produced by the Singapore Institute of Technology during its BCM planning exercise.

Each section captures the completed templates and outputs from the RAR, BIA, BCS, and PD phases, enabling structured progress tracking and facilitating future updates.

The purpose of publishing this eBook as part of the Singapore Institute of Technology's BCM eBook Series is twofold:

• For Organisations: It provides a practical reference that supports organisations, such as SIT, in executing a BCM project, whether initiating a new program or enhancing an existing one.
• For Practitioners: It complements the learning journey of professionals attending BCM Institute’s certification or competency-based training. The eBook is a value-adding resource that bridges theory and implementation, enabling participants to apply concepts to real-world organisational settings.

The Four Phases of BCM Planning

The content of this eBook 3 "Starting Your BCM Implementation", drills down into the specific requirements for each phase of the BCM planning methodology. 

The four phases of the BCM planning methodology are

• Risk analysis and review (RAR)
• Business impact analysis (BIA)
• Business continuity strategy (BCS)
• Bc plan development (PD)

In the Risk Analysis and Review (RAR) phase, the content includes the completion of these three templates:

• List of Threats [RAR T1]
• Treatment and Control [RAR T2]
• Risk Impact and Likelihood Assessment [RAR T3]

In the business impact analysis (BIA) phase, the following six-part templates are completed for each critical business function.

• Part 0: Corporate MBCO & Product and Services [MBCO] [P&S]
• Part 1: Identification of Business Functions [BIAQ T1]
• Part 2: Impact Areas of Business Functions  [BIAQ T1]
• Part 3: Impact Over Time of Business Functions  [BIAQ T2]
• Part 4: Supporting IT Systems and Applications  [BIAQ T2]
• Part 5: Inter-dependencies  [BIAQ T3]
• Part 6: Vital Records [BIAQ T3]

In the Business Continuity Strategy (BCS) phase, each critical business unit will have the following requirements presented:

• Mitigation Strategies [BCS T1]
• Recovery Strategies and Justifications [BCS T2]
• Minimum Resources Required during a Disaster [BCS T3]

In the plan development (PD) phase, detailed business continuity plan procedures [PD CBF-x] will be developed for each critical business function of the organisation, based on the specific processes for each function.

This eBook is a compilation of submissions on RAR, BIA, BCS, and plan development (PD) by an organisation during a business continuity planning exercise.

Critical Business Functions (CBFs) of the Singapore Institute of Technology

These CBFs represent the core activities essential to SIT’s mission and operations. The following is a list of SIT's key CBFs:

• CBF-1: Academic Programme Delivery and Assessment
• CBF-2: Digital Learning and IT Infrastructure
• CBF-3: Student Administration and Support Services
• CBF-4: Industry Partnership and Work-Study Programme Coordination
• CBF-5: Campus Operations and Facility Management
• CBF-6: Finance and Procurement Management
• CBF-7: Information Security and Data Protection
• CBF-8: Leadership, Governance, and Crisis Management
• CBF-9: Research and Innovation Activities
• CBF-10: Communication and Public Relations

These CBFs will serve as the basis for your Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and guide the development of mitigation, recovery, and continuity strategies.

Next Steps

This eBook is part of the BCM Institute’s commitment to providing value-adding and complementary services to organisations, helping them implement or upgrade their BCM programs.

It is beneficial for those undergoing BCM certification or competency-based training courses at the BCM Institute.

By applying this methodology, you will not only develop a tailored BCM plan for your institution but also enhance the resilience and continuity of your operations, ensuring SIT is better prepared for potential disruptions.

As you progress through each phase, remember that BCM is an ongoing process of planning, testing, and improving.

This eBook serves as a guide to help you navigate that journey, ensuring your institution’s continuity strategies are robust, actionable, and aligned with your organisational goals.

To learn more about the course and schedule, click the buttons below for the BCM-300 Business Continuity Management Implementer [B-3] course and the BCM-5000 Business Continuity Management Expert Implementer [B-5].

	If you have any questions, click to contact us.