My experience suggests that most
companies do not have a formal documented Disaster Recovery Program.
With the
many natural disasters, plant fires and explosions these past couple years it
begs the question; " Has national news coverage of the past several years of
major disasters sparked senior management to
question their internal disaster recovery process?
I wonder, "Did the businesses that have made
the headlines have a comprehensive Disaster Recovery Program? Was a
key team in place with a documented program to lead the many aspects of a
related recovery in a planned and orderly manner?
My 35 years
of business experience confirms that most companies do not have a formal
documented Disaster Recovery Program.
Yes, many companies have pieces or segments of a disaster recovery
program within individual functions such as succession planning, duel suppliers
or a hazardous spit processes. Many are the result of state and federal legislation or law suits that forced creation
of a specific disaster prevention and recovery program. Ever wonder how many
companies actually have a formal documented plan to alert the public and
initiate a national product recall?
There are many other areas that should be documented in some format
where details are readily and available to senior management. Today, in our
fast moving world and the speed of communication, public response time is
critical to control potential brand damage. There is usually not sufficient
time to develop a strategy 'after the fact" to define what communication
is warranted and directed to the right people.
At the top
of the communication list must be the key business stack holders included:
- Employees
- Customers
- Suppliers
- Community
- Local and National Media as appropriate
Many may
say, "How do you have a comprehensive Disaster Recovery Program when you do not
know when and what the disaster may be".
I would say to them, "start with a team and have them research the
major potential Disasters." Using this data define potential resources for
a successful communication blitz along with a program that includes a generic
flow chart that ensures an expedited
return to normal business. Firefighting after the fact is not the best approach
as we have observed domestically and internationally during the past several
years.
Editor's Note: CR4 would like to thank Edward Eisermann for sharing this blog entry, which originally appeared here.
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Re: Disaster Recovery, Are You Ready?
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