What is the first professional practice in Business Continuity Management?

The first professional practice in Business Continuity Management is Program Initiation and Management. This step is crucial as it establishes the foundation for a business continuity program. It involves obtaining management support, defining the scope of the program, and establishing governance structures. This practice ensures that the business continuity initiatives are aligned with organizational objectives and that there are adequate resources, both in terms of personnel and funding, to support the continuity efforts.

Before any other practices like Risk Assessment or Business Impact Analysis can take place, it is essential to have a structured program in place. This ensures that all subsequent activities are coordinated effectively and focused on the organization’s critical functions. Establishing the program also involves identifying the roles and responsibilities within the team, which is pivotal to the successful execution of business continuity strategies.

While practices like Risk Assessment and Business Impact Analysis are vital components of the overall Business Continuity Management process, they follow after the establishment of a solid program framework. Incident Response, too, is a critical part of the process, but it is typically activated after the business continuity program has been initiated and is already in place. Therefore, Program Initiation and Management is rightly considered the first professional practice in Business Continuity Management.