What are some of the common challenges or pitfalls of recovery procedures?

2 Poor communication

Another common challenge of recovery procedures is to ensure clear and timely communication among your team, your customers, your suppliers, and any other parties involved in your recovery process. Poor communication can lead to confusion, delays, errors, or conflicts that can hamper your recovery efforts and damage your reputation. You should have a communication plan that defines the roles and responsibilities of each communicator, the channels and tools they will use, the frequency and content of their messages, and the feedback mechanisms they will employ. You should also train your communicators on how to deliver accurate, consistent, and empathetic messages during a crisis.

3 Insufficient resources

A third challenge of recovery procedures is to secure enough resources to support your recovery process. Resources can include people, equipment, materials, data, funds, or anything else that you need to resume your normal operations. Insufficient resources can result in prolonged downtime, reduced quality, or increased costs that can affect your bottom line and customer satisfaction. You should conduct a resource analysis that estimates the quantity and quality of resources you will need for each recovery scenario, and how you will obtain them in case of a disruption. You should also have backup or alternative sources of resources in case your primary ones are unavailable or inadequate.

4 Unrealistic expectations

A fourth challenge of recovery procedures is to manage the expectations of yourself, your team, and your stakeholders regarding your recovery process. Unrealistic expectations can lead to frustration, disappointment, or dissatisfaction that can affect your morale and performance. You should set realistic and achievable goals and objectives for your recovery process, based on your capabilities, resources, and constraints. You should also communicate these goals and objectives clearly and transparently, and monitor and report your progress and outcomes regularly. You should also be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances, and adjust your expectations accordingly.

5 Lack of learning

A fifth challenge of recovery procedures is to learn from your experience and improve your contingency planning for the future. Lack of learning can result in repeating the same mistakes or missing opportunities for enhancement that can increase your risk and vulnerability. You should conduct a post-recovery review that evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of your recovery process, the lessons learned, and the best practices and recommendations for improvement. You should also update your recovery plans and procedures based on the review findings, and incorporate them into your contingency planning cycle.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?