Training Guide

Gaining Senior Leadership Support for Continuity of Operations

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Briefing Guide Objectives and Contents

Explain Legal Authorities Provide an understanding of Continuity operations Emphasize the benefits Explain the importance of and need for securing support from

senior leadership and decision makers Emphasize the need for viable Continuity planning

considerations for organizations Describe role of Leadership Summarize the Continuity Program

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Senior Leadership Video

Continuity Connection: Gaining Senior Leadership Support by Eric Kretz

(Note: To access the video go to the address link: Continuity Connection: Gaining Leadership Buy-In)

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What makes a successful Continuity Program?

What makes a successful

Continuity Program?

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A Successful Continuity Program Commitment to Continuity operations articulated by senior

leaders Agency/organization culture that supports Continuity

readiness and preparedness Viable Continuity capability and executable Continuity plan Clearly defined planning priorities and budget process Coordination, collaboration, and information sharing with

internal and external stakeholders  Senior leadership expectations managed Effective facilities management process Commitment to Test, Training and Exercise Program and

Corrective Action Program

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Why should senior leadership support Continuity planning?

Why should senior leadership support Continuity planning?

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Senior Leadership Support for Continuity

Senior leadership should support Continuity because it: Ensures the capability of continuing agency essential functions during a

wide range of potential emergencies Ensures critical planning gaps, budgetary, and management challenges

are identified and addressed Supports good business practice

Senior leadership support ensures: Protocols are established for vital records backup in a secure

environment Designated responsibility for developing a “Go Kit” Agency/organization participation in a Continuity Test, Training and

Exercise (TT&E) program and Corrective Action Program Identification of communication and IT requirements

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How to gain senior leadership support for Continuity?

How to gain senior leadership support for Continuity?

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Gaining Senior Leadership Support for Continuity Gaining senior leadership support for Continuity requires

Continuity Program Managers to: Demonstrate the value of Continuity to the agency/organization

mission Ensures the capability of continuing agency/organization

essential functions during a wide range of potential emergencies

Protects the staff, facilities, and the Return on Investment (ROI) Identify legal requirements, mandates, and guidance for

implementing a Continuity program NCPIP and FCD 1 (Federal Government) and CGC 1

(non-Federal entities) Ensure compliance with applicable Executive Orders

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How can senior leadership assist in the Continuity process?

How can senior leadership assist in the Continuity process?

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Senior Leadership Assistance for the Continuity Process: Continuity Coordinator• Appoint a Continuity Coordinator who will:

Direct the work of the Continuity Program Manager to create a seamless Continuity planning environment

Serve as executive team liaison Signatory for approved Continuity

budget requirements Brief senior leadership on Continuity

planning Approve the Continuity plan Approve the Multi-Year Strategy and

Program Management Plan

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Senior Leadership Assistance for the Continuity Process: Continuity Program Manager Appoint a Continuity Program Manager who will:

Establish Continuity as priority Serve as agency/organization Continuity subject matter expert Identify and prioritize the essential functions Identify successor and delegations of authority Provide guidance and oversight for developing

agency/organization Continuity plan and manage plan review, revision, and update process

Submit the Continuity plan for approval Develop long-term Continuity budget and ensure budgetary

support recommendations

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Senior Leadership Assistance for the Continuity Process: Continuity Program Manager (cont’d) Appoint a Continuity Program Manager who will: Prepare the Multi-Year Strategy and Program Management Plan if required

Coordinate with agency/organizations operations and emergency manager to ensure performance of essential functions in an all-hazards environment

Critical Continuity Program Manager skills: Business management Interpersonal Communication and facilitation Coordination and collaboration Team building Planning

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What are senior leadership Continuity responsibilities?

What are senior leadership Continuity responsibilities?

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Senior Leadership Continuity Responsibilities Senior Leaders are responsible for:

Creating a Continuity culture Promoting and emphasizing the importance of a viable Continuity

program Approving and authorizing essential functions Establishing orders of succession and delegations of authority Approving Emergency Relocation Group (ERG) personnel,

ensuring ERG positions are filled, and the call-down roster is maintained

Promoting family support planning

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Senior Leadership Continuity Responsibilities (Cont’d) Senior Leaders are responsible for: (Cont’d)

Supporting and approving Continuity planning activities, to include test, training, and exercises; reconstitution; and devolution planning and a Corrective Action Program

Creating protocols and identifying triggers for Continuity plan activation

Coordinating interagency Continuity efforts and initiatives

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Activity/Role Playing

Activity/Role Playing

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Activity/Role Play: Gaining Senior Leadership SupportInstructions:

Work in small groups at your table to complete this activity

Consider your agency’s/organization’s Continuity strengths and challenges

Based on your Continuity planning knowledge, identify three critical points you would use to “sell” Continuity planning to your senior leaders

Form teams of two within the group to complete this role-play activity. Assign one person to be a Continuity Program Manager and the other a senior leader

Continued on next slide

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Activity/Role Play: Gaining Senior Leadership Support (Cont’d)Instructions:

Scenario: The agency/organization hired a Continuity Program Manager to develop the Continuity plan and gain senior leadership buy-in/support. The agency/organization does not have a Continuity plan

Role Play: Using the three key points previously identified, have the Continuity Program Manager incorporate them into a role-play discussion to convince senior leadership for why they should support Continuity planning

You have 30 minutes to complete the activity and 10 minutes to role play

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What key points should be addressed when briefing senior leadership?

What key points should be addressed when briefing senior

leadership?

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Senior Leadership Briefing…

Senior leadership briefing points… What is Continuity and why is it important Requirements for a Continuity capability Impact of not having a Continuity capability Senior leadership role and responsibilities Next steps

Note: As part of this training, a Senior Leadership Briefing Guide has been created to provide recommendations and guidance for creating a senior leadership briefing.

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Summary and Transition

This guide/unit:

Addressed the importance of senior leadership support for Continuity and their continuity roles and responsibilities

Discussed Continuity coordinator and continuity program manager continuity roles

Provided an opportunity to participate in activities focused on developing strategies for gaining senior leadership support for Continuity

Addressed key discussion points for senior leadership briefing

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Questions?

Questions

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End of Presentation