Business Continuity Management Framework
Introduction
The Business Continuity (BCM) Framework has been developed along similar lines to that for Risk Management. The same philosophy applies to BCM as to Risk Management, namely that BCM should not be considered in its own right but in the context of LJMU’s Strategic Plan and as part of normal good management practice.For developing the components of the BCM Framework, therefore, the Strategic Management Group (SMG) and the Audit Committee have supported an approach specifically designed to:
- maximise discussion about BCM in the context of the Strategic Plan
- avoid the doom-laden tone of much Business Continuity Planning
- assist in identifying the priorities for attention by assessing business impact
- highlight the single points of failure in business-critical activities and infrastructure
- help to establish Recovery Time Objectives and Recovery Level Objectives
- embed BCM as a natural and normal element in decision making as part of good management.
Business Continuity Planning and Management have to be very formal and detailed processes in those organisations where life and limb are at risk and dangers abound. LJMU is not normally subject to such hazards. Its activities are less critically affected in the short term if there should be disruption or interruption to business and the consequences of breakdowns in service are usually less severe. However, at certain times of the year, indeed hours of particular days, LJMU is at high risk, for instance, during clearing or at assessment time. In the longer term, LJMU’s reputation and successful functioning could be jeopardised or damaged by continuing disruption or failure to provide expected services.
For these reasons, all members of staff should assess how tasks and processes can be continued in the event of threats to operations and plan how the impact of disruption can be minimised. All line managers should ensure that business continuity plans are in place for threats to day-to-day activities that are relatively predictable, for instance when power fails or access to buildings is not possible.
Guidance about BCM is one of the components in the Framework.
