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A Risk Management Approach to Business Continuity

Julia Graham and David Kaye

Julia Graham and David Kaye have a wealth of experience and this shines through the pages of “A Risk Management Approach to Business Continuity”.  The subtitle gives the reader the best clue of what is inside as a lot of the advice is focused on illustrating the alignment and connections need to create effective Business Continuity Management.

Don’t let the title put you off,  this book is both practical and readable with good solid advice from experienced professionals shown in a relevant and interesting context that will help those new to Business Continuity and experienced planners and managers alike develop a better fundamental understanding of the BCM process and activities in structured and clear way.

Opening with a sound illustration of the early development of BCM the book quickly moves into structured illustrations of the essential elements of a full BCM programme.  Potential readers should note that whilst the publication does not specifically cite the latest standards for Business Continuity this text is much more useful than others that focus on a specific standard such as BS25999 as it provides much more advice and guidance that has been gained from decades of experience adding colour, flavour and importantly insight to the topic.

The authors have, by sticking to best practice principles and explaining in detail all the vital components of good planning and management for BCM, delivered an excellent roadmap that will prove invaluable in addressing the challenges of BCM within a diverse range of organisations. I particularly liked the considerable focus on the full range of topics that plans need to address, balancing the needs of a good BCM process across all key activities such as Crisis Management, Communications and People planning considerations.

Throughout each chapter the authors provide examples from real life of the situations they are covering and illustrate the planning considerations that would mitigate or control the risks faced.  The overall structure helps and encourages the development of a solid foundation for all the Business Continuity Essentials and could be used as a very good primer for those new to the field needing to develop plans for their organisations.  Unusually though the value doesn’t stop there as the content would be most beneficial to many already working in the field as through its thoroughness it expands on many of the specifics.  Each Chapter carries specific references and bibliography, which is very useful as regional considerations can be addressed, although this is starting to need updating through hopefully a second edition that could also cover BS25999.    

Overall “A Risk Management Approach to Business Continuity” is a comprehensive and well-written piece of work that I can thoroughly recommend.

Reviewed by Russell Price