Developing and Delivering Successful Business Continuity Exercises Masterclass

Effective business continuity (BC) exercises are essential for ensuring that your organisation can respond appropriately and confidently during any form of disruption.  URM’s 1-day masterclass will equip you with the necessary skills to design, plan, and deliver successful exercises that test continuity plans, identify weaknesses, and improve response capabilities.  Through a range of scenario-building techniques and real-world insights, you will learn how to engage stakeholders, facilitate exercises effectively, and deliver meaningful improvements.  By the end of the masterclass, you will be prepared to develop and lead exercises that enhance your organisation’s resilience and organisational readiness.

By attending this masterclass, you will learn how to:

• Identify and differentiate between various types of BC exercises, including tabletop, simulation, walkthrough, and full-scale exercises
• Conduct a structured planning process for exercises that align with your BC goals, objectives, risk assessments, and compliance requirements
• Develop realistic, engaging, and scenario-based exercise storylines, incorporating threats, impacts, and tailored injects that are relevant to your context
• Engage key stakeholders and secure executive sponsorship, by articulating the value and expected outcomes of the exercise
• Coordinate logistics and communications effectively, ensuring all participants understand their roles and expectations before the exercise
• Facilitate exercises with confidence, using tools and techniques to guide discussions, stimulate participation, and manage time and dynamics
• Provide insight and guidance into actual delivery of the exercise, e.g., reading the room, using your judgement, supporting participants, encouraging debate or challenging the audience
• Apply practical techniques to manage challenging behaviours, including resistance to participation, overconfidence, blame-shifting, or fear of accountability
• Monitor and evaluate performance during exercises, capturing critical observations, decisions made, and areas for improvement.
• Conduct productive post-exercise reviews (hot-wash and debriefs) to gather feedback, analyse gaps, and provide positive feedback on what went well
• Compile clear, actionable reports and improvement plans, and use them to enhance your organisation’s resilience and BC maturity
• Recognise and avoid common pitfalls, such as lack of clear objectives, unrealistic scenarios, poor engagement, or failure to follow up.

What Are the Prerequisites for Attending?

Some basic knowledge of BC principles and terminology would be beneficial but is not mandatory.

What is the Format of URM’s Masterclass?

URM’s Masterclass leans heavily on discussions, exercises, and real-life examples and scenarios which are designed to help you develop and deliver BC exercises in your work environment.

The on-line masterclass is also designed to encourage debate and the sharing of knowledge and experience.

The masterclass runs from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm with 45 minutes for lunch and a 10-minute break in the morning and afternoon.

Why Train With URM?

• We believe that the key differentiator between URM and other BC training providers is the calibre of our trainers.
• You will benefit from the fact that all URM’s trainers are practising BC consultants who are highly experienced in the full BC management (BCM) lifecycle, from conducting business impact analyses (BIAs), risk assessments, developing strategies and plans, through to developing and delivering BC exercises.
• URM is particularly well-regarded for its expertise in designing and delivering tailored, challenging BC exercises that help organisations build greater confidence and capability in their response.
• With a strong focus on practical application, URM’s trainers translate best-practice theory into real-world value, using a facilitative approach that encourages active participation and peer-to-peer learning.

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