Crisis Management & Business Continuity Planning Training Course

Introduction

In an increasingly unpredictable world, effective Crisis Management and Business Continuity Planning (BCP) are paramount for any organization seeking to safeguard its operations, reputation, and long-term viability. This essential training course is meticulously designed to equip executives, crisis team leaders, business continuity managers, risk professionals, and emergency responders with the specialized knowledge and practical skills required for preparing for and responding to unexpected crises. Participants will gain a robust understanding of crisis communication, incident command systems, disaster recovery strategies, business impact analysis, and the critical role of leadership in navigating high-stakes situations. Our comprehensive curriculum emphasizes hands-on application, best practices, and real-world case studies pertinent to navigating global disruptions, empowering you to build truly resilient organizations capable of rapid recovery and sustained operations.

This organizational resilience training is crucial for individuals and organizations striving to move beyond reactive responses towards a proactive, structured approach to managing potential disruptions. Mastering crisis communication strategies, implementing robust business continuity plans, and understanding methods for effective incident response are indispensable for minimizing financial losses, protecting stakeholder trust, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining operational stability during unforeseen events. This program offers an unparalleled opportunity to elevate your expertise in strategic crisis preparedness and disaster recovery solutions, positioning your organization at the forefront of adaptive planning and driving significant long-term value creation through enhanced operational resilience.

Target Audience

• Senior Executives & Board Members
• Crisis Management Team Leaders & Members
• Business Continuity Managers & Coordinators
• Risk Management Professionals
• Emergency Response Personnel
• Operations Directors & Managers
• IT Disaster Recovery Specialists

Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamental concepts of crisis management and business continuity planning (BCP).
• Learn methodologies for conducting comprehensive business impact analysis (BIA) to identify critical functions.
• Master techniques for developing robust and actionable business continuity plans.
• Develop proficiency in designing effective crisis communication strategies for various stakeholders.
• Explore best practices for establishing and leading a crisis management team (CMT).
• Understand the principles of incident command systems (ICS) for structured response.
• Learn about robust disaster recovery strategies for IT systems and data.
• Identify the critical role of leadership and decision-making during a crisis.
• Develop skills in conducting crisis exercises, drills, and post-crisis reviews.
• Understand the integration of crisis management and BCP with enterprise risk management (ERM).
• Explore legal, ethical, and reputational considerations in crisis response.
• Drive the implementation of a comprehensive framework for organizational preparedness and resilience.
• Position yourself as a leader capable of effectively preparing for and responding to unexpected crises.

Duration

10 Days

Course Content

Module 1. Foundations of Crisis Management and BCP

• Defining crisis management, business continuity, and disaster recovery
• Understanding the lifecycle of a crisis: mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery
• The strategic importance of BCP for organizational resilience and reputation
• Differentiating between incidents, emergencies, and crises
• Overview of relevant standards (e.g., ISO 22301) and best practices

Module 2. Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and Risk Assessment

• Methodologies for conducting a comprehensive Business Impact Analysis
• Identifying critical business functions, processes, and dependencies
• Determining Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO)
• Assessing potential impacts of disruptions: financial, operational, reputational
• Integrating BIA findings with organizational risk assessments

Module 3. Developing the Business Continuity Plan

• Structure and components of a comprehensive BCP document
• Developing recovery strategies for critical business functions
• Resource planning: personnel, technology, facilities, suppliers
• Communication plans for internal and external stakeholders
• Creating clear roles, responsibilities, and escalation procedures

Module 4. Crisis Communication Strategies

• Principles of effective crisis communication: transparency, timeliness, empathy
• Identifying key stakeholders and tailoring messages for different audiences
• Developing pre-approved crisis communication templates and holding statements
• Leveraging traditional and social media during a crisis
• Managing reputation and public perception post-crisis

Module 5. Establishing and Leading the Crisis Management Team (CMT)

• Roles, responsibilities, and composition of an effective CMT
• Establishing a dedicated crisis command center (physical or virtual)
• Principles of effective crisis leadership and decision-making under pressure
• Maintaining situational awareness and intelligence gathering during a crisis
• Team coordination and communication within the CMT

Module 6. Incident Response and Command Systems

• Introduction to Incident Command Systems (ICS) and their application
• Principles of unified command and coordination with external agencies
• Developing specific incident response plans for various scenarios (e.g., cyberattack, natural disaster)
• Prioritizing response actions and resource deployment
• Post-incident review and lessons learned

Module 7. Disaster Recovery (DR) for IT Systems and Data

• Strategies for IT disaster recovery: backup, replication, redundancy
• Developing a comprehensive IT DR plan and recovery procedures
• Cloud-based DR solutions and their advantages
• Data restoration verification and integrity checks
• Testing IT DR plans for effectiveness and RPO/RTO adherence

Module 8. Crisis Exercises, Drills, and Testing

• Designing and conducting various types of BCP and crisis exercises (tabletop, functional, full-scale)
• Developing realistic scenarios and injects for drills
• Evaluating exercise performance and identifying areas for improvement
• Documenting lessons learned and updating plans accordingly
• The importance of continuous testing and validation

Module 9. Legal, Ethical, and Reputational Considerations in Crisis

• Understanding legal obligations during a crisis (e.g., disclosure, negligence)
• Ethical dilemmas in crisis decision-making
• Managing reputational damage and rebuilding trust post-crisis
• Cybersecurity incident reporting and compliance
• Data privacy and regulatory impacts during disruption

Module 10. Supply Chain Resilience and Third-Party Risk

• Identifying and assessing risks in critical supply chains
• Developing strategies for supply chain diversification and resilience
• Managing third-party vendor risks and business continuity requirements
• Communication and collaboration with suppliers during disruptions
• Creating alternative sourcing and logistics plans

Module 11. Human Capital Management in a Crisis

• Ensuring employee safety and well-being during and after a crisis
• Communication strategies for employees during disruptions
• Managing remote work and flexible arrangements during a crisis
• Employee support systems and psychological first aid
• Leadership's role in maintaining morale and productivity

Module 12. Integration with Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)

• Aligning BCP and crisis management with the broader ERM framework
• Using risk assessments to inform BCP development
• Reporting on BCP and crisis readiness as part of ERM reporting
• Fostering a risk-aware culture that supports resilience
• The role of ERM in strategic preparedness

Module 13. Future Trends in Crisis Management & BCP

• The impact of emerging technologies (AI, IoT) on crisis prediction and response
• Global interconnectedness and systemic risks
• Climate change and increasing frequency of natural disasters
• Geopolitical instability and cyber warfare
• Continuous adaptation and agility in an evolving threat landscape

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre.

We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.