Intro to Business Continuity Planning

[Desolation]

We have launched a new introductory course for business and government professionals that prepares staff to participate in business continuity and disaster recovery planning efforts. While there is an established body of material aimed at Continuity Analysts, there isn't much content out there for those who are pulled into the effort as a subject matter expert, a recovery team member, or who oversee the content as a manager.

Our Intro to Business Continuity Planning gives students enough background to serve on a continuity planning project, complete a process survey, generate a business impact analysis, draft new recovery plans, and test their plans. Our intention is to relieve the professional continuity analyst of the burden associated with bringing people up to speed on the basics of planning. Their mission is support planning, evaluate the product and protect the business. Training people burns their hours, extends their timelines, and moves them out of their area of expertise (few have any background in educational theory or practice). Our goal is to help them lay the groundwork for their project efforts and build a foundation for higher level activities (e.g., scenario definition).

To view the course syllabus, visit http://www.desolationpress.com and select the Continuity Planning link.

We have two models for those who are interested: an individual rate buys access to the content, which includes templates, for a year. We will also negotiate for site licenses for an organization (unlimited use, rates based on the size of the business).

For more information, email: sales@desolationpress.com.

We hope to add to the stability and safety of our economy, and our society, by offering this course to the people who will bring us back to business at time of event.

[callcare]

Is this just USA based?

Mel @ Callcare

[Desolation]

The course is not restricted to residents of any country. Business Continuity training content is not subject to ITAR regulations, as far as I know. And Americans are certainly not the only people at risk: in this global economy, we all depend on each other.

The web offers a great opportunity for expanding the reach of our training efforts, and we would like to take advantage of this technology to meet the needs of anyone who is interested in learning, no matter where they reside.

I cannot, however, offer the content in any language other than English at this time.
If there is enough demand, we would consider a translation effort, but it's not on the agenda for now.

Thanks for the inquiry!

[JohnGlenn]

Who, if I may be so bold, contributed to the material? What are their credentials and what constitutes their actual hands-on experience?

[Desolation]

Good question! The content was produced by a single author (myself), Steven Peterson, and I drew on a number of industry sources and as well as my personal experience working with a Fortune 50 company, and a few other clients. While I have no formal certifications, I have done the homework. The course is introductory, and is intended for those who are asked to participate in a BC planning effort as a subject matter expert. I have successfully delivered earlier versions of the content to engineers, analysts, and others tasked with participating in BC/DR efforts.

If you're looking for a course that will prepare you to lead the BC/DR effort, I recommend contacting the Business Continuity Institute or DRII, the Institute for Continuity Management. The course I'm offering prepares students and corporate staff to create business continuity and recovery plan content, and to participate in coordinated testing exercises. It is intended to support those who are asked to participate in the planning effort as a subject matter expert, a recovery team member, or in a management role.

Our lesson includes templates for a Contact database, a Business Continuity Survey, a Business Impact Analysis, an Event Management Plan, and a Recovery Test Plan. Templates are offered in MS Office and OpenOffice format, and are intended to help students learn how to produce useful content.

I encourage anyone who interested in more detail to contact us at sales@desolationpress.com.