ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses methods of developing a corporate business continuity plan. Corporate business continuity planning specifies the methodology, structure, discipline, and procedures needed to back up and recover functional units struck by a catastrophe. The plan itself has five major elements: risk and business impact analysis, alternative analysis, response and recovery planning and plan documentation, plan publication and testing, and training and implementation. Specific to contingency planning, the software should be evaluated in terms of whether it provides total business continuity planning assistance or simply data center recovery. The business continuity planning coordinator interfaces with the business continuity steering committee to ensure a smooth and successful transition to each phase of the plan. The business continuity steering committee is responsible for establishing and controlling policies, standards, and procedures and for defining the structure of the project to ensure that the departments and other participants work together cohesively.
