Chartered Management Institute publishes its annual business continuity survey
The survey finds that only 47 percent of organisations across the UK have a business continuity plan – a figure that has barely changed since 2002 (45 percent). Major differences also exist between organisation types, with BCPs most apparent in the public sector (62 percent) and amongst listed companies (55 percent), compared to only 40 percent of private and voluntary organisations. The low level of preparedness is surprising and comes despite a significant majority of managers (76 percent) reporting that business continuity is ‘important’ or ‘very important’ to their employer, with 66 percent claiming responsibility for implementation rests at senior management level. Asked to identify what influenced the adoption of a business continuity management strategy, most respondents with a plan cited corporate governance as the key driver (60 percent). Amongst PLCs, this figure rises to 76 percent and is 69 percent in the public sector. Central government requirements were listed as the second highest driver (33 percent) followed by customer demand (32 percent). The results also show that calls for business continuity planning are increasing from auditors (30 percent, up from 24 percent in 2007) and insurers (30 percent, up from 28 percent in 2007). The survey indicates that 94 percent of organisations which had invoked their plan in the past 12 months felt that it had been effective in reducing disruption. 33 percent of organisations with a business continuity plan still do not undertake any form of exercise to test their plan (down from 37 percent, last year). A high proportion (78 percent) of those who do exercise at least once each year said shortcomings had been revealed, enabling them to make improvements. However, 9 percent admitted that no steps were taken to address the weaknesses that had been uncovered. The evidence also suggests that staff training relating to business continuity remains limited. Among those with a business continuity plan, 35 percent include business continuity training on induction courses (rising from 30 percent in 2007). However there is a clear need for increased levels of training to build resilience. Bruce Mann, director of Civil Contingencies at the Cabinet Office, says: “Whilst this year’s survey shows organisations taking steps to improve their business continuity arrangements it also shows, starkly, that there is much more to be done. Too many organisations still do not have effective business continuity arrangements in place. This view is echoed by the findings from Sir Michael Pitt’s review of the 2007 floods. It is bad news for employees, shareholders, customers and communities. Lessons need to be learnt, and acted upon, to strengthen business and national resilience, as a whole.” Download a PDF of the full results.
•Date: 11th March 2008• Region:UK •Type: Article •Topic: BC statistics
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