Quick Definition:
Business Continuity Planning (BCP) is the process of creating systems of prevention and recovery to deal with potential threats to a company. For PMs, it means ensuring project work can continue even if the organization faces a major disruption.
BCP vs. Disaster Recovery
While Disaster Recovery (DR) focuses on restoring IT systems, BCP is broader. It covers people, processes, and physical locations. A good BCP ensures that even if the office is inaccessible, the project team can still collaborate and deliver.
Key BCP Strategies for PMs
- Remote Work Readiness: Ensuring all team members have the tools and access to work from anywhere.
- Succession Planning: Identifying backup personnel for key project roles.
- Alternative Suppliers: Having a list of backup vendors in case a primary supplier is disrupted.
