10 Essential Steps to Maximize Operational Readiness for a Disaster

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Nevertheless, 85% of organizations fail to meet operational readiness goals. By following these ten steps, organizations can dramatically improve their chances of success.

Introduction

Operational readiness is the ability of an organization to respond effectively to unexpected events. In today's rapidly changing environment, organizations face a growing number of threats, from natural disasters to cyberattacks. As such, operational readiness is becoming increasingly important.

1. Define Your Critical Functions

The first step to achieving operational readiness is to define your critical functions. These are the functions that are essential to the survival of your organization. Once you have identified your critical functions, you can begin to develop plans to ensure that they can be performed in the event of a disruption.

2. Identify Your Risks

The next step is to identify the risks that could potentially disrupt your critical functions. These risks can be internal or external, and they can be man-made or natural. Once you have identified your risks, you can begin to develop strategies to mitigate them.

3. Develop a Business Continuity Plan

A business continuity plan (BCP) is a document that outlines the steps that your organization will take to respond to a disruption. Your BCP should include plans for all of your critical functions, and it should be regularly reviewed and updated.

4. Test Your BCP

Once you have developed a BCP, it is important to test it regularly. This will help you to identify any weaknesses in your plan and make necessary adjustments.

5. Train Your Employees

All employees should be trained on the organization's BCP. This training should include how to respond to a disruption and how to perform their duties in the event of a disruption.

6. Establish a Crisis Management Team

A crisis management team is a group of individuals who are responsible for managing the organization's response to a disruption. This team should be made up of representatives from all departments and should be trained on the organization's BCP.

7. Communicate with Stakeholders

It is important to communicate with stakeholders throughout the process of developing and implementing your BCP. This communication should include information about the plan, the risks that it addresses, and the steps that employees should take in the event of a disruption.

8. Monitor Your Progress

It is important to monitor your progress in achieving operational readiness. This will help you to identify areas where you can improve your plan and make necessary adjustments.

9. Continuously Improve Your Plan

Operational readiness is an ongoing process. As your organization changes, so should your BCP. It is important to regularly review and update your plan to ensure that it remains effective.

10. Seek Professional Help

If you need assistance in developing or implementing your BCP, there are a number of professional resources available. These resources can provide you with guidance and support to help you achieve your operational readiness goals.

Case Study

Company A is a large manufacturing company with operations in several countries. In 2011, the company was hit by a major earthquake that disrupted its operations in one of its key markets. The company was able to recover quickly from the earthquake because it had a well-developed BCP in place. The company's BCP included plans for all of its critical functions, and it had been regularly tested and updated.

Company B is a small business that does not have a BCP in place. In 2012, the company was hit by a hurricane that destroyed its office. The company was unable to recover from the hurricane because it did not have a plan in place to respond to the disruption.

The case studies of Company A and Company B illustrate the importance of operational readiness. Company A was able to recover quickly from a major disruption because it had a well-developed BCP in place. Company B was unable to recover from a minor disruption because it did not have a BCP in place.

Conclusion

Operational readiness is essential for organizations of all sizes. By following the ten steps outlined in this article, organizations can dramatically improve their chances of success in the event of a disruption.

Additional Resources

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Business Continuity Institute (BCI)
• Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII)