Business Continuity Plan Essential Business Functions Overview 1

Business Continuity Plan: Essential Business Functions

Overview 1. What are essential functions? 2. Questions to ask yourself 3. How to identify? 4. What else to include?

What are essential functions? Functions or activities that must continue at all times, even during and after an emergency. They typically reflect only a subset of a business’ normal operating functions. A service? A product? An operation? You know your business best!

Questions to ask yourself Is there a potential for revenue loss if this function is not completed? What business objective/goal does this function support?

Questions to ask yourself Does the successful completion of this function depend on any other functions? Are other functions dependent on this function for its successful completion?

How to identify? Sensitive to downtime Fulfill legal or financial obligations to maintain cash flow Play a key role in maintaining your business’ market share and reputation Safeguard an irreplaceable asset

Another way to identify Mission critical: Services necessary to achieving your organization’s mission Business critical: Functions that other businesses and organizations rely on to operate successfully Customer critical: Services that the your customers/clients depend on

What else to include? Include payroll and accounting systems to track and document costs Identify your suppliers, shippers, resources and other businesses you must interact with on a daily basis.

Things to remember Essential functions will not operate at 100% during recovery. In a larger scale event, you might bring in NEW customers and business in addition to your existing customers. Be Flexible!

Then take the next step…. Identify the resources required to maintain your critical functions