What does business continuity planning (BCP) primarily aim to achieve?

Business continuity planning (BCP) primarily focuses on creating strategies that allow an organization to maintain essential functions during and after a disruptive event. The core objective of BCP is to ensure that critical business operations can continue with minimal interruption, regardless of the nature of the disruption, whether it is a natural disaster, cyber incident, or other unforeseen events.

By developing contingency plans, conducting risk assessments, and formulating response strategies, organizations are able to effectively anticipate potential disruptions and implement measures that minimize downtime and keep operations running. This proactive approach not only protects the organization's assets and reputation but also ensures that services and products remain available to customers, thereby maintaining stakeholder trust and operational stability during challenging times.

While compliance with regulations, employee productivity, and technological investments may play a role in the broader scope of an organization's planning and operations, they are not the primary focus of BCP. The main aim is to equip an organization with the capability to smoothly navigate disruptions, thus safeguarding its long-term viability.