| Good contracts are designed to cater for a whole | | | | needs to be maintained;o Do not let the service |
| range of unforeseen events that can affect | | | | provider "gold plate" the means for reacting to |
| delivery. Unfortunately, the really big, catastrophic | | | | events - after all, the cost of providing for |
| events (such as floods or pandemics) often result | | | | business continuity may have to be recovered in |
| in a complete breakdown in the ability of the | | | | the price to you;o Audit the plans from time to |
| supplier to perform the tasks required by the | | | | time to ensure that they are still capable of |
| contract. A business continuity plan is a plan of | | | | meeting your needs. Testing under as near to |
| what to do if the service is interrupted or fails all | | | | possible real circumstances often generates new |
| together. Although it is the responsibility of the | | | | ideas or identifies things that need to be tightened |
| supplier, it is good practice to deal with the plan | | | | but recognise there is a cost to carrying out |
| jointly. Here are some good practices in putting | | | | these tests;o Drawing up continuity plans are not |
| together a business continuity plan.o Make sure | | | | a one-time event at the start of the contract. |
| the plan is developed "top down". Identify what | | | | Circumstances change and the continuity plan |
| services need to be maintained in what | | | | needs to reflect that;o Identify and plan for how |
| circumstances - this is about maintaining critical | | | | the service could be delivered by another party |
| services under a range of possible events from | | | | should the incumbent fail altogether; ando Do not |
| minor breakdowns to life threatening disruptions;o | | | | assume that an alternative source can be found |
| Derive the requirements for continuity from the | | | | at short notice when needed. Research the |
| top down assessment and prioritisation of what | | | | market and have a transfer plan in place. |