Every business, regardless of size, faces unexpected events. These could include natural disasters, theft, cyber-attacks, or even sudden staff shortages. Without preparation, such events can halt operations, cause financial loss, and damage reputation. A business continuity plan (BCP) helps your business survive disruptions and recover quickly.
1. Understand What a Business Continuity Plan Is
A BCP is a documented strategy that outlines how your business will continue operating during and after an unexpected disruption. It identifies critical functions, key staff, resources, and processes that must be maintained to keep the business running.
2. Identify Critical Business Functions
Start by listing the core parts of your business that must continue during a disruption. Examples include:
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Customer service and communication
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Production or delivery of services/products
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Payroll and finance operations
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IT systems and data management
Focusing on critical functions helps you prioritise resources during a crisis.
3. Conduct a Risk Assessment
Identify potential threats that could disrupt your business. Common risks include:
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Natural disasters (floods, storms, fires)
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Theft or vandalism
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Cybersecurity breaches
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Supplier or equipment failure
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Staff illness or absenteeism
Assess the likelihood and potential impact of each risk to understand which areas need the most planning.
4. Develop Recovery Strategies
For each risk, create clear strategies to maintain business operations. For example:
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Backup systems and cloud storage for digital data
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Alternative suppliers for critical materials
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Emergency contact lists for staff, clients, and partners
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Remote work arrangements in case offices are inaccessible
The aim is to minimise downtime and financial loss during disruptions.
5. Assign Roles and Responsibilities
A BCP is only effective if everyone knows their role. Assign responsibilities to key staff:
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Who will lead the response during an emergency?
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Who will communicate with clients, staff, and authorities?
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Who will manage IT, finance, or logistics recovery?
Clear roles reduce confusion and ensure a faster response.
6. Test, Review, and Update the Plan
A plan is only useful if it works. Regularly test your BCP through simulations or tabletop exercises. After each test:
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Review what worked well and what didn’t
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Update processes, contact lists, and strategies
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Train staff on any changes or improvements
Testing ensures your plan is practical, current, and effective.
Conclusion
Business continuity planning is not just for large corporations — small and medium businesses in Australia benefit greatly from being prepared. A well-designed BCP helps you identify risks, prioritise critical functions, assign responsibilities, and recover quickly from unexpected events. By investing time in planning now, you can protect your business, employees, and customers, and ensure long-term resilience and success.
