When disaster strikes... A guideline to business continuity awareness

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Motivation
• Context and assignment of the thesis
• Goals of the thesis
• Methodology
• Singapore's cultural dimensions
• Singapore State
• Hofstede's Dimensions of Culture
• Power Distance
• Uncertainty Avoidance (UA)
• Singapore's SARS crisis
• Sample AG
• Organization of Sample Pte Ltd, Singapore
• The Corporate Information Office
• BCP of SAMPLE Pte Ltd Singapore
• Basics - Business Continuity Planning
• BCP as Project
• Definition of Business Continuity Planning
• Dimensions of Business Continuity Planning
• The BCP planning method
• Business Continuity Institute
• Disaster Recovery Institute International
• The Phases of the BCP development process
• Business Impact Analysis
• Definition of Business Impact Analysis
• Goals and contents of a BIA
• Methods for collecting Data
• Key Performance Indicator Review
• Process Flows
• Questionnaires
• Disaster Recovery Planning
• Testing of BCPs
• Walk-through
• Simulation
• Problem analysis
• Analysis of the Business Continuity Plans at SAMPLE PL
• Requirements of the business continuity plans at SAMPLE PL
• GAP-Analysis
• Summary
• Proposal of solution
• Parameters for embedding of BCP
• Objectives for a solution concept
• Change Management
• Strategy for implementation
• Simulation Training
• Awareness Program
• Developing a BCP culture
• Summary
• Implementation of solution
• BCP Communication
• Leaflets
• Crisis Information Number
• Summary of Business Continuity Plans
• BCP Intranet site
• BCP podcast
• BCP Web site
• Crisis Reporting Number
• BCP Crisis Conference number
• BCP Process

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This diploma thesis aims to explore the concept of business continuity planning (BCP) and its application in the context of Singapore. The specific focus is on the development and implementation of a BCP framework for a hypothetical company, Sample Pte Ltd, in Singapore. The thesis draws upon the country's unique cultural dimensions, particularly Hofstede's dimensions of culture, to understand the potential challenges and opportunities for BCP implementation.

• Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and its application in Singapore
• Impact of cultural dimensions on BCP implementation
• Developing a BCP framework for a hypothetical company in Singapore
• Importance of communication and awareness in BCP
• Lessons learned from Singapore's SARS crisis

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The thesis begins by introducing the motivation and context behind the study, outlining the goals and methodology. It then explores Singapore's cultural dimensions, focusing on Hofstede's dimensions of culture, particularly Power Distance and Uncertainty Avoidance. The thesis also examines Singapore's experience with the SARS crisis as a relevant case study for understanding disaster preparedness.

Following the introduction, the thesis delves into the basics of BCP, defining the concept, outlining the various dimensions, and discussing the key phases of the BCP development process. It further explores the importance of Business Impact Analysis (BIA) as a crucial step in the planning process.

Chapter 4 then analyzes the existing BCP at SAMPLE PL, identifying key requirements and conducting a gap analysis to determine areas for improvement. The thesis then proceeds to outline a proposed solution, setting out the objectives, strategy, and implementation plan for a more comprehensive BCP framework.

The final chapters focus on the practical aspects of BCP implementation, including communication strategies, process development, and the creation of awareness programs. The thesis concludes with a summary of findings, reflections on achieved goals, and recommendations for future work.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This thesis explores key concepts like Business Continuity Planning (BCP), Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP), Business Impact Analysis (BIA), cultural dimensions, Hofstede's dimensions of culture, Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, and the impact of the SARS crisis on BCP implementation. The thesis also examines important practical aspects such as change management, communication, and awareness program development, all within the specific context of Singapore.