Analyzing the Business Continuity Plan

Business Continuity

The process of business continuity planning entails development of a practical strategy for corporations to prepare themselves for, and keep up their operations, following a crisis or disaster. Business continuity plans (BCPs) aid organizations in identifying and preventing risks wherever possible, preparing for risks they are unable to control and responding and recovering in the event a crisis or incident does occur. Preparation of a plan for business continuity will facilitate quick business recovery in the event of a disaster/crisis. One cannot predict all sorts of incidents that pose threats to businesses. However, one can formulate a plan covering an array of incidents (natural disasters, staffing issues, computer/technological issues, etc.). (Queens Land Government, 2015) In every instance, companies cannot flourish without proper planning, monitoring, and resource management.

The organization -- First Class Cleaning and Sanitation Services -- offers general cleaning services to businesses as well as homes. It has no BCP, which has negatively impacted the organization, particularly in times of floods. Some consequences of failing to have a BCP are outlined below:

Cash flow problems will certainly crop up if the company fails to plan adequately for when and where funds are required. Late payments will likely lead to supplier unreliability, or supplier may cut off goods/services supply. (Silver, 1997)

Lack of planning implies lack of a vision and mission statement. An organization's workforce will be most productive if it can view and comprehend the big picture that explains the rationale behind their tasks. Consequently, absence of a plan will affect productivity. Further, it is quite likely that much precious time will be wasted, as employees duplicate each other's work, and some of important tasks go neglected. (Silver, 1997)

The workforce of companies lacking adequate planning will likely have a weak morale. Employees, aware of the disorganized environment they work in, will suffer frustration and stress owing to the difficulties they face in executing tasks assigned to them.

Absence of a plan might require hiring of new employees whenever a need is observed in any department of the organization. If these needs are not balanced with what the organization can afford, its payroll expenses will skyrocket uncontrollably.

Solutions to Companies with Risks of Natural Disasters

As the in-charge of these manufacturing entities in Japan, I would conduct risk assessment, which must be cognizant about effects of natural disasters on business. Natural disasters take up an entire section of business plans and include a range of crises. (Griffin, 2013)

I would ensure BCPs for these industries are reviewed regularly if some third party is not available to review the industry's BCP regularly, an individual or team within the industries must play the role of "champion" for this purpose. BCPs must be regularly table-topped, preferably once every three months. Moreover, plans need to be updated with change in business conditions.

If I was in charge of a company with frequent power outages:

My first step is going to be determination of procedures as well as equipment, which might be impacted by power failure, equipment including computers, elevators, alarm and security systems, heating, lighting along with ventilation systems. I will, additionally, create an equipment inventory the firm uses and have backup for all major equipment (The Center for food security and public health, 2010).

Additionally, I will also draft a catalog of equipment, which has to be shut down when power failure occurs and then restarted when electricity is reinstated. Moreover, I will gauge the influence of service failure. Lastly, I will also Keep a backup of all electronic data and save the data in a safe location outside the firm's premises (BC Hydro, 2016).

Issues that a Power Station should consider when thinking about a Business Continuity Plan