Business Continuity Plan
A Business Continuity Plan is a document that outlines a business' plan to allow it to continue operations in case of a disaster or emergency.
4.5 (17 reviews)
Last updated January 13, 2025
Under 10 minutes
Suitable for Australia
Written by
Edwin Montoya Zorrilla
Reviewed by
Damin Murdock
Document Overview
The Business Continuity Plan is designed to ensure the continuous operations of a company during and after a significant business disruption (SBD).
What does a Business Continuity Plan cover?
- Definition of Significant Business Disruptions;
- Responsible persons;
- Business impact analysis;
- Recovery strategies;
- Incident response;
- Business continuity procedures;
- Communication plan;
- Training and awareness;
- Backup and recovery;
- Supply chain and third-party management; and
- Legal and regulatory compliance.
Note: many of the sections in this BCP have been kept as high-level concepts, as it is up to small business to determine which procedures they will actually implement in case of an SBD. We recommend speaking to a specialist in the field, such as an emergency management consultant.
Should my business have a Business Continuity Plan?
SMEs should have a BCP to identify potential threats and plan for their mitigation, ensuring the company and its stakeholders are well-prepared for any emergency. This plan allows the company to respond efficiently to disruptions and minimize their impact on day-to-day operations.
The Legal Risk Score of a Business Continuity Plan Template
Our legal team have marked this document as medium risk considering:
- The document assumes that all critical systems and recovery processes will function as planned without detailing contingency plans for unexpected failures in these systems.
- The plan heavily depends on external organisations and systems for response to external significant business disruptions, which may introduce delays and uncertainties in crisis management.
- There is an assumption of availability and functionality of alternative physical locations and remote work capabilities which might not be feasible or efficient under all types of significant business disruptions.
Business Continuity Plan Checklist
Complete your free Business Continuity Plan with our checklist
Review and Update Regularly
Ensure the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is reviewed and updated annually or whenever there is a material change in operations, structure, business, or location.
Conduct Training and Awareness Programs
Regular training sessions should be conducted to familiarize all employees and the BCP management team with their roles and responsibilities as outlined in the plan.
Test and Maintain the Plan
The BCP should be tested at least annually to validate its effectiveness and to integrate lessons learned into the plan updates.
Document Compliance and Incident Handling
Maintain thorough documentation of all BCP activities, including development, updates, testing, and any incidents that occur, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and legislative requirements.
It's never been so easy
Sign-up to a free Lawpath account
Get started and we’ll take care of you. It’s that easy.
Collaborate with e-Sign and Sharing
Having access to your legal documents has never been easier. You can request e-signature, share the document and download for an efficient collaboration.
Create unlimited legal documents and eSignatures for only $39/month.
Upgrade to a Lawpath legal plan to boost your new business.
Here's what people say about Lawpath’s Business Continuity Plan
Reviews are managed by BazaarVoice and comply with the BazaarVoice Authenticity Policy. Reviews are independently verified by BazaarVoice and detail our customers' real experiences.