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Create a roadmap for setbacks with ISO 22301

Tuesday 09/02/2021
Business consulting-ISO 22301 business continuty

It is impossible to anticipate the unexpected. Responding appropriately to a setback, however, is possible. A business continuity plan will ensure that you know exactly what needs to be done in order to restart your key business processes as soon as possible following a critical event. ISO 22301 provides a methodology to achieve this.

Reacting appropriately rather than trying to anticipate

A global pandemic, terrorism, natural disasters, social unrest, etc. are all unpredictable events that can have a major impact on your business activities. As an entrepreneur you cannot possibly anticipate such events. What you can do, however, is to draw up a plan to safeguard your business continuity.

Business continuity does not focus on prevention. Such an approach would be far too expensive and inefficient. What it does do is focus on a specific action plan that takes effect when something happens to your company. You draw up a kind of roadmap to safeguard your business assets before, during and after an event with a major impact.

ISO 22301 is an international standard, which describes a methodology to formulate a plan of this nature.

How do you formulate a business continuity plan?

  • Chart your main business processes, including production, sales, delivery, the purchase of raw materials, etc.
  • What kind of damage could be inflicted if these business processes were interrupted by unforeseen circumstances? Think of fines, lost customers, reduced financial margins, loss of image, well-being, etc.
  • What is needed to quickly restart these processes and prevent this kind of damage?

Clearly define for each business process the minimum level of service you want to guarantee when you restart and which resources you will need to achieve this.

Why ISO 22301?

You can draw up a business continuity plan yourself without ISO certification. However, this requires the necessary discipline within your organisation to keep everything up-to-date. Time and energy that you might prefer to commit to other matters.

ISO 22301 and its associated internal audits will provide an appropriate framework. The ISO methodology also provides an additional incentive. It guarantees a more formal document and competence management system and incorporates a training programme for different scenarios. The fact that you can present a certified, balanced and up-to-date business continuity plan will also inspire confidence amongst stakeholders such as banks.

Is your plan ready?

Would you like to know more about this topic? We will happily provide you with additional information about ISO 22301. You can also count on our support if you would like to draw up a business continuity plan tailored to your organisation. Please feel free to contact us.

Contact one of our experts

Henk Deprez

Henk Deprez

quality management systems; sector industry