Which professional practice comes third in the sequence for Business Continuity Management?

In the context of Business Continuity Management (BCM), the sequence of professional practices typically follows a logical progression that begins with understanding the organization's needs and risk profile, followed by analysis and planning, and culminating in implementation and maintenance strategies.

Business Impact Analysis (BIA) is a crucial step that comes early in the BCM process, often right after the initial risk assessment. It involves identifying the critical functions of the organization and assessing the impact of disruption on those functions. This analysis helps organizations prioritize their recovery efforts based on the potential consequences of an interruption.

By establishing the essential functions and the impacts associated with their disruption, the BIA lays the groundwork for effective continuity planning. It guides the later stages of the BCM cycle by informing the development of strategies that ensure the critical functions can continue or be quickly resumed after a disruption. Thus, BIA is rightly positioned as a foundational step in the sequence of BCM practices.

In contrast, practices such as Program Maintenance, Testing and Exercises, and Communications Planning follow later in the sequence, supporting the continual improvement and readiness aspects of Business Continuity Management after the initial analysis and plans are established.