Business Continuity Planning Checklist - Public

1. Risk Assessment:

• Identify potential risks and threats to your business, including natural disasters, cyberattacks, supply chain disruptions, and other emergencies.

2. Business Impact Analysis (BIA):

• Assess the potential impact of identified risks on your business operations, revenue, and reputation.

3. Critical Business Functions:

• Determine which business functions are critical for your operations and prioritize them.

4. Business Continuity Team:

• Establish a dedicated business continuity team responsible for developing and implementing the plan.

5. Emergency Response Plan:

• Create an emergency response plan outlining immediate actions to take during a crisis.

6. Communication Plan:

• Develop a communication plan that includes contact information for employees, stakeholders, suppliers, and customers.

7. Employee Safety:

• Ensure employee safety is a top priority, and establish protocols for evacuation, sheltering, and emergency response.

8. Data Backup and Recovery:

• Implement regular data backup procedures and ensure data recovery capabilities.

9. IT and Technology Continuity:

• Develop an IT continuity plan to ensure the availability of critical systems and data.

10. Supply Chain Management:

• Identify and assess vulnerabilities in your supply chain and establish alternative suppliers if necessary.

11. Remote Work and Telecommuting:

• Establish remote work policies and technology infrastructure to support remote work during disruptions.

12. Employee Training:

• Train employees on emergency procedures and their roles during a crisis.

13. Testing and Exercises:

• Conduct regular drills and exercises to test the effectiveness of your business continuity plan.

14. Vendor and Partner Communication:

• Establish communication protocols with vendors, partners, and stakeholders to coordinate responses.

15. Financial Planning:

• Ensure you have financial resources or insurance coverage to manage unexpected expenses.

16. Crisis Management Team:

• Appoint a crisis management team responsible for decision-making during a crisis.

17. Public Relations and Reputation Management:

• Prepare a public relations strategy to manage the public perception of your business during a crisis.

18. Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure that your business continuity plan complies with relevant industry regulations.

19. Documentation and Records:

• Maintain thorough documentation of your business continuity plan and any changes or updates.

20. Review and Update:

• Regularly review and update your business continuity plan to adapt to changing risks and circumstances.

21. Employee Contact Information:

• Maintain up-to-date contact information for all employees and stakeholders.

22. Notification Systems:

• Implement notification systems to quickly reach employees and stakeholders in case of an emergency.

23. Alternate Facilities:

• Identify alternate facilities or locations where you can operate if your primary location is unavailable.

24. After-Action Review:

• Conduct a post-crisis review to assess the effectiveness of your response and identify areas for improvement.

25. Public Information:

• Develop a plan for sharing information with the public and media during a crisis.