Responding to a survey last year by the Chartered Management Institute, which revealed that only 47% of companies has a business continuity management plan, BSI British Standards has launched an online self-assessment tool. BSI director Mike Low says it enables manufactures to evaluate their BCM provisions, by testing supposed strengths and probing for weak spots. And he adds that it will help them to develop a framework for planning, implementing, operating, reviewing, recording and reporting to help gain compliance certification.
Based on a self-assessment questionnaire, it covers all the requirements of BS 25999-2 Business Continuity Management - Specification, so that organisations can identify necessary improvements to their existing BCMs, says Low.
"The BCM online self-assessment tool provides an efficient and comprehensive framework within which an organisation can assess its progress towards a recognised standard," explains Low.
"In tough economic times, it is more important than ever for businesses to have the BCM systems in place that will help them stay afloat should operations be disrupted," he adds. "BCM can be used to determine and invest in critical areas of the organisation, protect reputation and enhance stakeholder confidence."
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