Unsolicited Feedback about EPCB's Complete Continuity Toolkit "Many thanks. This is brilliant!"
(Reference: Doug Nelson, MBCI, CBCP, Business Continuity Manager, CHIRON, Emeryville, CA)
 
The EPCB Toolkit has been enhanced in 2010 with Crisis Management resources (files 12, 13 & 14 below).
 
The key to crisis management is a good information management and decision making structure
Structure, introduced into operations by design, is both a means of limiting error, and of clarifying choices for action by multiple participants over time in complex environments.

The challenge lies in designing the structure in ways that achieve the stability desired for effective performance of the management system, without restricting the flexibility required for adaptation to changing conditions .

This requires a dynamic system underpinned by information exchange in support of sound decision making.

It is characterized by four primary decision points around:

(1) what is the risk (detection),

(2) what does the risk mean (recognition and interpretation),

(3) who has an interest (communication to multiple stakeholders), and

(4) who should do what (organization of a collaborative system).

(Ref: Best Practice adapted from Professor L. K. Comfort, Crisis Management in Hindsight: Cognition, Communication, Coordination, and Control in PA Review, Volume 67 Issue s1 Page 189-197, December 2007)

EPCB has developed a system based on using Business Impact Analysis data as a baseline for damage/impact assessments to provide a sound basis to inform crucial decisions in a crisis.
 
FILES IN THE TOOLKIT

1. Self Assessment Guidelines
Specifications: Word.doc 631 KB (20 Pages)
If you can not measure it - You can not manage it is a fundamental management principle.
We build a firm foundation by assessing your needs - identifying the gap between where you are and where you need to be. Our framework for assessing your preparedness is built around seven key elements - each underpinned by five assessment criteria. This product has been developed from best practice approaches to emergency planning and risk management. Our approach is based on, and aligned with, the globally respected Risk Management Standard AS/NZS 4360, and ISO 31000. Elements (and their respective criteria) can be modified to reflect your context.

Examples reflecting such adjustments to context are demonstrated on our "Free Gap Assessment Tools" page.

2. Self Assessment Workbook
Specifications: Excel.xls Workbook 157 KB
The Excel Workbook provides a robust framework and a flexible template within which you can easily edit performance criteria and adjust performance level requirements. The Microsoft Excel Worksheets record achievement in an easy to use manner that allows self assessment within a framework of provided evidence (detailed against each criterion). The Workbook outputs printed reports including bar and radar charts.
 
3. Hazard Identification & Business Impact Assessment Guidelines
Specifications: Word.doc 905 KB (32 Pages)
What can affect your business? How will it affect your business?
With this knowledge a manager can then determine how best to manage risks posed by the hazards.
 
Preview an extract from our "Hazrd ID and BIA Guidelines" (107 KB PDF)

4. Hazard Identification & Business Impact Analysis Presentation
Specifications: PowerPoint.ppt 364 KB;
The PowerPoint Presentation is an easy to understand outline of the approach suitable for workshops and briefings.
 
5. Business Continuity Planning Workbook
Specifications: Excel.xls Workbook 151 KB
These Excel Worksheets support mapping critical functions and ranking risks in a clear and straightforward manner. The risk evaluation tools calculate risk priorities and contains other Worksheets suitable for recording key elements of the plan.
 
6. Model Emergency Response Plan
Specifications: Word.doc 634 KB (38 Pages)
A Model Emergency Response Plan focused on occupant safety - suitable for organizations, businesses, buildings or facilities.
 
7. Model Business Continuity Plan
Specifications: Word.doc 535 KB (35 Pages)
A Model Business Continuity Plan focused on critical functions - suitable for organizations, businesses, buildings or facilities.
 
8. EPCB Risk Register
Specifications: Excel.xls Workbook 379 KB
The "engine room" and "umbrella" of your plans - records your risks and what you are doing about them.
This document provides CEOs and Project Managers with an excellent single page summary, aligned with an internationally reputed risk management standard (AS/NZS 4360), to which supporting plans can be hyperlinked.

Plus files 9 - 14 depicted in the image above.