Following the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, much attention was deservedly paid to the tens of thousands of New Orleans' residents displaced by the broken levies. As Katrina's victims waited in shelters and on rooftops for help, rescue efforts were fumbled, and law enforcement scattered when traditional communication systems were brought down by the storm. Foul flood waters left businesses in disrepair, unable to reopen, and many residents had neither homes nor jobs upon returning to the area.

While little could have been done to avoid the harm to local residents, businesses and government agencies brought on by the sheer force of such a disaster, there are steps that businesses and government agencies can take to ensure that essential operations continue. One such step is the development of a Continuity of Operations Plan.

The following guide provides a basic layout of a Continuity of Operations Plan and details why it makes good business sense for organizations to prepare such contingency plans in order to deal with those scenarios that often disable operations. Moreover, this guide outlines the benefits of a telework program as a key component of a Continuity of Operations Plan, and underscores the importance of pre-implementation and regular use by key employees before disaster strikes.

Reprinted with Permission from www.viack.com