Business Continuity Planner

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

This occupation has not yet received an official NOC code. However, it is considered similar to the following historical NOC codes. CAUTION—As this occupation is only similar to these NOC codes, related details and labour market information may not be accurate:

• 2006 NOC: Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management (1122) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management (B022) 
• 2011 NOC: Professional occupations in business management consulting (1122) 

Business continuity planners assess risks to the ongoing operation of businesses and make plans to mitigate, transfer or accept those risks. For example, businesses that handle personal financial transactions online may be susceptible to computer hackers. Business continuity planners recommend ways to reduce company risks and provide step-by-step instructions that assist employees to recover operations back to normal as efficiently as possible should the risk become a reality.

Larger organizations may need business continuity plans for several types of risks, (for example, computer system failure, leaked client information, epidemic, natural disaster).

In general, business continuity planners:

• assess an organization's risk of disruption from unplanned or planned events
• co-ordinate input from leaders and business areas throughout the organization to identify critical business functions and processes and the impact disruption may have 
• develop relationships with information technology and other departments who provide services to the business areas
• recommend business recovery strategies and prioritize options
• identify the organization's emergency response and ongoing operational plan for critical business areas (for example, reduced services or services provided at alternate locations)
• review emergency plans (for example, ordering building evacuations, identifying emergency command centres)
• create inventory lists of primary equipment, systems and resources 
• identify potential vendors and key contacts for emergency repairs and supplies
• design and facilitate emergency response and continuity training exercises 
• evaluate and revise continuity plans based on exercise results and ongoing developments
• develop presentations, awareness programs and training manuals.

In times of crisis, business continuity planners:

• lead the implementation of business continuity plans
• set up off-site command and recovery centres if necessary
• co-ordinate recovery efforts
• act as a liaison and co-ordinator with public authorities, emergency workers, external agencies and members of the media
• utilize designated crisis communication protocols for effective flow of information.

Business continuity planners work in offices. When co-ordinating responses to business disruptions they may work a considerable amount of overtime including evenings and weekends in locations that are offsite or related to the disruption.

Business continuity planners need the following characteristics:

• excellent interpersonal skills
• organizational, problem solving and leadership skills
• excellent oral and written communication skills
• the ability to handle multiple tasks with competing priorities
• effective decision making skills in times of crisis.

They should enjoy analyzing organizational methods and conducting research, taking charge of situations, and providing critical assessments and constructive advice. This includes presenting findings and recommendations to decision makers, and responding to criticism.

Emerging occupations typically are the result of:

• an increased human need (for example, alternative sources of energy)
• technological advances
• greater specialization within an occupation.

Often there are too few people working in an emerging occupation to gather survey information. Therefore, it can be difficult to define advancement opportunities or employment outlook. Some Albertans already are working in this emerging occupation but future demand for business continuity planners is unknown. 

Business continuity planners may be self-employed or employed by:

• municipal, provincial and federal governments
• large organizations
• management consulting firms.

Business continuity planners are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 1122: Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management. In Alberta, 75% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction (PDF)
• Public Administration (PDF)
• Wholesale Trade (PDF)
• Transportation and Warehousing (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Business Continuity Institute (BCI) Canada: www.bcicanada.org

DRI Canada website: www.dri.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.