I am a Business Continuity Manager ... and I want to develop competencies in my team!

In all these years of practice and working with many companies, I have observed that many organizations often have a single position dedicated to business continuity management, sometimes even combined with other functions. Therefore, having a dedicated team could be honestly perceived as a privilege.

Developing competencies is a crucial responsibility for a manager. Initially, it involves assessing the existing level of business continuity management (BCM) competencies within your team. This assessment can be presented in a structured table format detailing names and corresponding competency levels. You could categorize these levels using a model such as the following (additional levels like Advanced can be incorporated as needed):

• Beginner
• Specialist
• Expert:

Different tools and tasks may be required to develop competencies at each level; hence, it is important to carefully assess and classify individuals accordingly, focusing solely on BCM competencies. As the field of BCM continues to evolve rapidly, it is important to anticipate the competencies that a proficient BCM professional may need in our disruptive times, such as agility, innovation, and problem-solving skills.

To achieve this, you should conduct a brief assessment based on your expertise and establish specific requirements for each competency level:

• Beginner: No foundational knowledge in BCM or basic level required (Induction)
• Specialist: Certification in BCM required, along with experience in executing various tasks within the BCM lifecycle
• Expert: Advanced certification, Agile ones ... and comprehensive understanding and experience in building a Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) required for example

Once these levels are identified, collaborate with your HR department to strategize on enhancing competencies and levels within the team. It is important to remind HR of your objectives as a BCM professional, offer insights and suggestions specific to the discipline, and propose methods for transferring knowledge and acquiring new skills.

This could involve various approaches, including:

• Coaching, Mentoring
• Managerial training
• Engagement in new projects
• Workshops, Recreational activities
• Watching relevant movies
• Participating in training programs
• Undertaking further studies
• Attending conferences and seminars

The key concept is to establish a clear developmental path for each competency level through a structured Competencies Program. It might be a formal document in your organization. This program should offer tailored content designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of employees involved in business continuity.

An important point for those interesting in the ISO 22301 Certification for their organizations, this kind of competencies program is part of the requirement for this standard. While implementing this program may require time and close collaboration with the HR department, it will significantly enhance the maturity of BCM within the organization, improve understanding of roles and functions, and demonstrate value to each team member by fostering a sense of support and direction.