Why do some organizations bounce back from crises stronger, while others strugg....
Key Success Factors for BCM Programme
Why do some organizations bounce back from crises stronger, while others struggle to recover, despite having a Business Continuity Management (BCM) plan in place? The answer lies not in the existence of a plan, but in how effectively it is designed, maintained, and executed.
Raymond Ee, a certified BCM professional and ISO 22301 Lead Auditor, highlights three essential success factors for a strong BCM program:
- Top Management Support: Secures funding, increases visibility, and drives participation across the organization. Without it, a BCM program cannot thrive.
- Effective Training: Engaging and relevant training helps staff understand and support BCM. Starting with general awareness builds strong foundation.
- Right Tools: Small organizations may manage with Excel and Word, but larger or multi-location companies benefit from specialized BCM software suited to their needs and budget.
What Makes Business Continuity Management Truly Effective?
Having a Business Continuity Management (BCM) plan is no longer enough. Organizations now need more than documents sitting on a shelf in this world filled with cyber threats, supply chain breakdowns, and unexpected crises. What truly matters is how BCM is embedded in culture, decision-making, and everyday operations.
A high-performing BCM program is not just about surviving disruption; it is about protecting people, operations, and reputation, while maintaining stakeholder trust.
ISO 22301:2019, the international standard for business continuity management systems, makes it clear: BCM must be an integrated, strategic function, aligned with an organization’s goals and risk framework.
Research supports this. The PwC Global Crisis and Resilience Survey 2023 found that almost two thirds of companies are moving from simple plans to more connected, company-wide resilience programs that include business continuity, crisis management, and cyber resilience. But only one in five organizations have fully integrated these areas, and those that do recover faster, manage risks better, and perform better financially.
1. Leadership Commitment and Governance
One of the biggest mistakes organizations make is BCM as just another checkbox. Without strategic support from top management, BCM efforts are often underfunded, misaligned with organizational goals, or perceived as low priority.
According to ISO 22301:2019, leadership must demonstrate accountability by integrating BCM into the organization’s overall business processes and risk management framework.
Recent research confirms that strong leadership makes a difference. 93% of organizations with a resilience program now have a C-level sponsor, and in 33% of cases, it is the CEO directly. This shows how vital it is for top leaders to own resilience.
Tip: Make sure BCM is part of the organizational governance, with regular reporting to the board or an executive-level committee.
2. Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and Risk Assessment
A robust Business Impact Analysis (BIA) identifies critical functions, interdependencies, and recovery time objectives (RTOs). It enables organizations to prioritize what must be protected and restored first during disruptions. BIA must be aligned with risk assessments that evaluate threats such as cyber-attacks, natural disasters, and supply chain failures.
Tip: Revisit your BIA annually or after significant organizational changes to ensure accuracy and relevance.
3. Integration into Organizational Culture
BCM is not a checklist—it is a culture. Embedding BCM into daily operations and training boosts employee buy-in and improves response.
A study published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction highlights that proactive BCM practices can enhance non-financial performance, strengthen stakeholder trust, and reinforce an organization’s determination to thrive in uncertain times. By building a culture of preparedness, businesses can improve customer and employee satisfaction, protect their reputation, and boost overall resilience. Conversely, poor BCM planning can hinder performance and leave organizations vulnerable during crises.
4. Regular Testing and Exercising
A BCM program is only as strong as its last test. Tabletop exercises, simulations, and full-scale drills validate the effectiveness of continuity plans and reveals gaps in real-time.
Research shows training should match what each person does in the organization, so everyone knows their role. Even small businesses can keep it simple with quick team briefings and easy exercises.
5. Technology and Data Resilience
Modern BCM must consider IT dependencies, cloud operations, and data privacy rules. It should align closely with Disaster Recovery and cybersecurity strategies to protect critical systems and data.
Research highlights the importance of resilience practices such as flexible work setups, strong IT infrastructure, and dedicated crisis teams. Using advanced technologies, like artificial intelligence for predicting risks and blockchain for secure data, helps improve operational continuity and prepare organizations for the future.
6. Regulatory Compliance and Certification
Compliance with regulatory frameworks and international standards builds trust and ensures consistency. Certification against ISO 22301 provides evidence of resilience and continuity capabilities to stakeholders, clients, and regulators.
Tip: Consider PECB ISO 22301 training courses and certification to align your program with international best practices.
7. Continuous Improvement and Monitoring
BCM is a living process. Regular audits, reviews, and key performance indicators (KPIs) help organizations assess maturity, identify weaknesses, and adapt to evolving threats. The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle embedded in ISO 22301 promotes a culture of continual improvement.
Real-time dashboards and automated monitoring tools are increasingly used to track performance metrics such as RTO/RPO adherence and test participation rates.
Tip: Establish BCM KPIs, e.g., time to recovery, plan update frequency, test success rate, to benchmark and drive improvement.
How PECB Can Help You Build a Stronger BCM Program
A resilient Business Continuity Management System does not happen by chance. It requires deep knowledge, skilled professionals, and a structured approach guided by internationally recognized standards. This is where PECB can support your journey.
PECB offers a comprehensive portfolio of ISO 22301:2019 training courses and certification that are designed to help you gain the practical skills, strategic insights, and globally recognized credentials needed to lead with confidence during times of disruption.
All PECB certifications are globally recognized and developed by experts in the field of risk and continuity management.
About the Author
Albulena Veliu is a Marketing Copyeditor at PECB. She is responsible for refining and reviewing content to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with PECB’s editorial standards. For any questions, feel free to reach out to her at support@pecb.com.
