[BCM] [MOM] [E1] [C6] Composing BCM Team

Chapter 6

What Should the Composition of the MOM's Business Continuity Management (BCM) Team Be?

Introduction

Business Continuity Management (BCM) plays a critical role in safeguarding the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) ability to deliver essential public services, uphold employment regulations, and ensure national workforce resilience during disruptions.

As a key government agency responsible for shaping Singapore’s labour landscape, MOM must remain operationally ready to respond to crises ranging from technology disruptions to national emergencies.

A well-structured BCM team is the cornerstone of this readiness. It ensures the systematic planning, coordination, execution, and continual refinement of BCM strategies across all MOM divisions.

By defining clear roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines, MOM can embed continuity management into its daily operations while ensuring rapid, coordinated responses during incidents.

This chapter outlines the proposed composition and structure of the MOM BCM team, reflecting best practices aligned with ISO 22301 and the ministry’s organisational context. 

A robust Business Continuity Management (BCM) program hinges on a well-structured and clearly defined team.

For the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the BCM team must be composed to ensure continuity of critical operations, rapid response during disruptions, and alignment with MOM’s strategic objectives in workforce management, foreign worker policies, and employment regulations.

Governance and Oversight

At the top of the BCM structure, a governance layer ensures that the program aligns with MOM’s strategic goals and national policies.

• BCM Steering Committee

• Composition: Senior executives, including the Permanent Secretary, Chief Human Resource Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and Chief Risk Officer.
  
  
• Responsibilities: Approve BCM policies, provide strategic direction, allocate resources, and monitor compliance with ISO 22301 requirements.
  
  
• Rationale: Executive-level support ensures organisational buy-in and integration of BCM into MOM’s operational and policy-making processes.

BCM Program Leadership

Program leadership is responsible for managing the overall BCM lifecycle, including planning, risk assessment, and continuous improvement.

• BCM Program Manager / Coordinator

• Reporting to: BCM Steering Committee
  
  
• Responsibilities:
  • Develop, maintain, and update MOM’s BCM framework.
  • Coordinate business impact analyses (BIA) and risk assessments.
  • Lead BCM awareness campaigns and training.
  • Ensure compliance with national regulations and ISO 22301 standards.
    
    
• Rationale: A dedicated manager centralises BCM responsibilities, ensuring consistency across all MOM divisions.

Business Unit BCM Leads

Each business unit within MOM should designate a BCM Lead who coordinates continuity efforts specific to their functional area.

• Key Business Units:
  • Employment Standards & Policy
  • Foreign Workforce Management
  • Workplace Safety & Health
  • Skills Development and Training
  • Corporate Services (Finance, HR, IT)

• Responsibilities of BCM Leads:
  • Conduct business impact analyses for their unit.
  • Identify critical business functions and recovery priorities.
  • Develop unit-specific continuity and recovery plans.
  • Serve as the point of contact during disruptions.

• Rationale: Ensures each unit’s operations are understood and continuity measures are tailored to their critical functions.

Technical and Operational Support Teams

These teams provide the technical, logistical, and operational support required to execute BCM plans effectively.

• IT Disaster Recovery Team
  • Responsible for ensuring critical IT systems, data, and digital services remain operational or are restored rapidly.

• Facilities & Security Team
  • Ensures physical sites, access controls, and workplace safety measures support continuity plans.

• Communications & Public Relations Team
  • Manages internal communications to staff and external messaging to the public, stakeholders, and media during incidents.

Crisis Response and Incident Management Teams

During actual disruptions, MOM requires a nimble team that can respond quickly to mitigate impact.

• Incident Management Team (IMT)
  • Led by the BCM Program Manager and composed of business unit leads, technical support representatives, and communications personnel.
  • Responsibilities include activating continuity plans, monitoring incident developments, and reporting to the BCM Steering Committee.

• Crisis Command Group
  • Senior executives and key functional heads who make strategic decisions during major crises.

Advisory and Audit Functions

To ensure ongoing effectiveness and compliance:

• BCM Advisory Panel / Risk & Audit Team
  • Provides independent assessment of BCM strategies, testing results, and lessons learned.
  • Ensures alignment with national guidelines, regulatory requirements, and international best practices.

The Ministry of Manpower’s BCM team structure is designed to provide strategic oversight, operational cohesion, and rapid incident response across all functional areas.

With transparent governance at the senior leadership level, dedicated program management, well-integrated business unit leads, and strong technical and communications support, MOM can effectively safeguard its critical functions and service delivery.

By establishing a BCM team that is both comprehensive and adaptable, MOM strengthens its resilience against disruptions while ensuring uninterrupted support for Singapore’s workforce and employers.

This structured approach also reinforces continual improvement, enabling MOM to evolve its BCM capabilities in step with emerging risks, technological advancements, and national priorities.

Ultimately, a well-composed BCM team ensures that MOM remains resilient, responsive, and ready to protect the nation’s manpower systems under all circumstances.

Resilient Support: Implementing Business Continuity Management at Ministry of Manpower (Singapore)
eBook 1: Understanding Your Organisation: Ministry of Manpower Singapore
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