The Business Continuity Plan

It's not if, it's which. A flood, a long outage, a failed supplier, half the team off sick in your busiest week. Something will happen.

The companies that get through it aren't the ones with the most money or the newest systems. They're the ones that decided in advance what matters most, how long each thing can stop, and how they'd keep it going (even on paper) until it's back.

This kit gives you that plan, ready to fill in, and the guide to build it properly.

What's in it

• The plan, as an editable Word file: nine short sections. They cover what it covers, what matters most and how long each process can stop, who's in charge, when to use it, the first hours step by step, working if you can't use the building, key suppliers and their alternatives, recovery, and keeping it ready. Every gap you need to fill is highlighted.
• Three appendices: a critical-processes table (each process with its workaround, what it needs and its recovery order), five scenario quick-cards for the disruptions you're most likely to face, and a log.
• The guide (PDF): how to work out what matters most (an hour, a day or a week without it?), a first-hours card to keep by the phone, workarounds that work, what to tell staff, customers, suppliers and the insurer, and three 45-minute practice scenarios.

Who it's for

Owners, CEOs and leadership teams of small and growing companies, especially those whose answer to "what would we do if we couldn't use the office tomorrow?" starts with "well…".

It pairs with The Incident Response Plan, for cyber attacks, and The Key-Person Risk Map, for the people the business can't run without.

It's a practical template, not legal or insurance advice. Check what your insurance requires of you.

You get two files: the plan in Word format (it also opens in Google Docs and Pages) and the 4-page PDF guide.