What is considered the first planning professional practice in the context of business continuity?

The first planning professional practice in the context of business continuity is primarily seen as business continuity strategies. This is because the development of effective business continuity strategies is essential for ensuring that an organization can maintain its critical functions during and after a disruptive incident. These strategies encompass the policies, plans, and procedures that organizations put in place to respond to and recover from various types of disruptions, helping to minimize the impact on operations and ensure a quick return to regular business activities.

By focusing on business continuity strategies, organizations take a proactive approach to planning, addressing who will do what, when, and how in the event of a disruption. This forms the foundation of an effective business continuity management process, which can incorporate elements such as risk assessment, emergency response training, and data recovery processes, but the overall strategy is what coordinates these activities into a cohesive plan.

Understanding this context highlights why business continuity strategies are integral to the practice—it encompasses the overarching vision and direction for how an organization prepares for and manages disruptions, making it the cornerstone of successful business continuity planning.