A Business Continuity Plan (or whatever an organisation happens to call it) is a strategic document that seamlessly links together a combination of essential elements. 

Below are arguably the 6 essential elements that you should be seeking to cover as a minimum when developing a “fit for purpose” BCP.  We call them the “nuts and bolts” of Business Continuity:-

1. The Business Continuity Plans/Crisis Management - Strategic documentation identifying and the mitigation of risks, logistics, inventories, communicators and communications
2. Data recovery (back-up is a given) - re-loading/mirror data/server foot-prints
3. Independent 'Key' digital data vault - Store scans of key documents and critical backups independently
4. BC Telephony (telephone switching) - When your phones are down you should be able to switch them quickly
5. Financial protection (insurance and financial planning) - Disaster costs. Make sure you are covered
6. Continuity Seats/Alternative BC locations - It may not be practical for everyone to work from home

The Battle Baton fits within item 1. In basic principles the BCP covers many areas and is divided into 2 parts:-
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Part 1:- Strategic Planning 'Front-end'

 Relatively static once established
    1. Identifying risks – (Impact analysis)
    2. Mitigating the risks – (Solution analysis / recovery strategy)
    3. BC Team structure (hierarchy) & responsibilities and deputies
    4. Key contacts, clients, suppliers - Digital formats to be stored securely
    5. Legal documentation references - Digital formats to be stored securely
    6. Media and emergency services management/coordination
    7. Key Power and Utility supplier contacts
    8. References to online reports and documentation held in the Crisis Management application (Battle Baton)

Part 2 (Section 1):- Across organisation Crisis Management

Fluid and organic and constantly changing.
The web based Battle Baton handles this superbly and virtually paperlessly!
    1. Linking reports and strategies to people and the Strategic Planning
    2. Keeping everyone informed of the plans, what they should do and where they should be
    3. Records maintenance and administration
    4. Hierarchal CM Team and Management reports
    5. Crisis Management communications
    6. Departments & Sections reports
    7. HR & Emergency Services reports
    8. BC Email Broadcasting

    This is the important information that is time consuming to generate and virtually impossible to control and keep up to date. The term for this information is In Case of Emergency ("ICE") Data. The Battle Baton does all this for you and much more, saving you significant man-hours in the short term and potentially thousands in the long term.

Part 2 (Section 2):- Crucial logistics pre-planning and real time reporting

 Important for testing, proving and implementation, the Battle Baton manages all this
    1. Inventories by person, department, office or the complete organisation, locally or globally
    2. Equipment
    3. Software
    4. Skill-sets
N.B. Managing the above online 'electronically' and NOT as a paper trail will greatly decrease the need for hard copy documentation therefore dramatically cutting reproduction and distribution costs, and helping the environment.

All of the BC elements should be addressed as a minimum and ordering the Battle Baton is the best place to start

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