BUSINESS CONTINUITY Desktop Test Template

1. BUSINESS CONTINUITY  Desktop Test Template

2. INFORMATION Service / Team: Manager: Location: Date of Desktop Test: Participants:

3. Resources Required: Your Business Continuity Plan (electronic or paper copy) Notepads & Pens Key staff!

4. Objectives of the Desktop Test Exercise our Business Continuity Plan focusing on XXX (eg loss of premises) Identify any gaps in our Business Continuity arrangements in a �safe� environment Form an action plan to implement any necessary improvements to our Business Continuity Plan

5. Benefits Shows whether or not our Business Continuity Plan requires improvement. Tests procedures, not individuals� performance. Demonstrates the potential impact of a xxx (e.g. loss of premises) on the service. Enables participants to feel more confident and prepared in their business continuity arrangements

6. Tips This is an opportunity to practice and rehearse our responses without impact to the service. Take it seriously and participate as if it were an actual incident. Outside of the exercise, avoid external communication to prevent panic or false alarm. All comments and contributions made by participants should be positive, constructive and respected by the group as a whole.

7. Getting started We will start from a blank canvas. Assume you have just heard about the situation and are first to respond. Make no assumptions about any other response that may have happened already.

8. Setting the scene� Xxxx receives a phone call at xxxx on a xxxx morning or arrives at the premises to discover that (insert name of your premises) is on fire / has a complete power cut etc

9. The time is xxxFirst person at the scene� Who do you contact first? Do you have their number? What if you can�t get hold of them? What else do you need to do now? NB � Can you access your BC Plan�?

10. The time is xxxAs more people arrive� Can you find out any more info from emergency services etc? Where will you go? How & when will staff be contacted? What must you tell them to do? Who else do you need to speak to / inform? Do you have their numbers to hand / on your BC Plan?

11. The time is xxx Members of the public arrive at your building. What do you tell them? Is the building physically secure from an access point of view? Can you put signage up directing people where to go?

12. The time is xxx The media arrive at the scene having been informed that the fire was caused by a disgruntled ex-employee. A journalist starts pressing you for information regarding the cause and consequences of the fire. What should you do? Are the Comms & Marketing Team on your BC contact list?

13. The time is xxx What are your main priorities? Are some of your key managers/staff on leave or not available? Where will staff be based? Which other Council officers may you need to contact? How do you let your service users know what is happening? Do you need to speak to key suppliers/partners? Where are their contact details kept� not in the office�? How will you retrieve critical electronic and paper-based data?

14. The time is xxxFinal considerations� You are told that the whole of your floor has been completely destroyed, it will be off limits for some time� What are your critical priorities? Who must you communicate with? What about the equipment / data in your office? Do you have longer term plans for relocating staff? Do you need to redirect mail, supplies etc? Any other issues? How will you return your service to �normal�?

15. De-Brief What worked? What didn�t work? Did the process run smoothly? Was decision making quick and effective? What do you need to do to improve your BC Plan? Summarise this in an action plan, stating what needs to be done, by who and by when.