Business Continuity Strategies: Protecting Against Unplanned Disasters, 3rd Edition

Chapter 6. Guidelines for Developing Contingency Programs at Multiple Locations

Background

Providing quality solutions to multiple problems is the goal. This emphasis on quality control manifests itself in methods standards and performance standards. The objective of these standards is to ensure consistency in data gathering, codification and classification, processing, and report preparation.

Contingency planning or, more specifically, contingency program planning, constitutes one of the major fields of practice. This specialty is destined to grow in demand and complexity. Much of the growth is the result of increased dependence on computerized systems. The complexity issue is a direct result of the technology explosion.

Objectives and Scope

Guidelines for Developing Contingency Programs for Multiple Locations were developed to provide methods and performance standards in developing, maintaining, and testing contingency programs. They have been developed to help companies control program development costs while ensuring quality in deliverables. They also contain standards for evaluating staff performance.

Section I recommends organization of the contingency planning function. It also emphasizes the importance of senior management’s involvement in defining corporate contingency program policy and strategy.

Section II provides guidelines in project implementation planning. It establishes standards for evaluating environments, identification of unique requirements, and developing a cost-effective ...