University of Missouri System

Management Services

Records Management

Disaster Prevention/Recovery

Guide for Developing a Disaster Plan

Key Elements in the Resumption of Business Operations

Many organizations, such as hospitals, airlines, and radio or TV stations, must resume operations within hours after a disaster to maintain their clientele and to retain public confidence. Crisis management means preparing for major, threatening, unexpected events, and providing for the continuation of the business during and after these crisis situations.

Crisis management has a much broader scope than the management of an information disaster reconstruction or salvage effort. A professional in this field of information protection describes a business crisis as a dangerous or threatening situation that "runs the risk of":

• Escalating in intensity
• Falling under close media or government scrutiny
• Interfering with the normal operations of business
• Jeopardizing the positive public image presently enjoyed by an organization or its officers
• Damaging an organization's bottom line in any way

Management of a major crisis should be delegated to a management appointed team who has received the necessary training for dealing with disasters. Other managers and staff should concentrate on maintaining regular business responsibilities. There are three key elements that must be considered in the crisis management section of general disaster planning process:

• Continuity of authority
• Appointment of a select disaster management team to identify, isolate, and manage the crisis
• Appointment of a department spokesperson