Every business can experience an event that may prevent it from continuing normal business operations, and this can happen at any time.

Business continuity and disaster recovery planning are processes that help organisations prepare for disruptive events – whether those events are a natural disaster, a power outage or an outbreak of influenza that decimates staffing numbers.

A disruptive event can befall a whole community or a business, large or small. Even those organisations not directly associated with these events can suffer significant disruption to their operations and financial hardship due to collateral effects such as disruption of supply chain or retraction of a customer base.

Emergency events and disasters impose significant costs on Western Australia, with response and recovery costs increasing every year.With typically long intervals between events, it’s easy to understand why businesses are complacent about preparing for emergencies, especially as emergency management is often unfunded and not part of the core business.

However, planning for business continuity increases our preparedness for emergencies and builds resilience.

Everyone has a role to play. An individual or business should not be solely reliant on government agencies for warnings, response and support.Planning can make the difference between business survival or failure following an event.

Download the Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Workbook

This workbook provides businesses with a step by step process for development of a business continuity plan. It covers the principles of business continuity planning that can be applied to any threat or disruptive event for your business. However, its emphasis is on Western Australia’s 27 prescribed hazards as defined in the Emergency Management Act 2005.

Whilst the activities and principles are applicable to all business industries and sizes, this workbook has been developed with small and medium businesses in mind who may not have existing comprehensive business plans, policies and procedures to assist in the event of a emergency.