Free Business Continuity Plan (BCP) Template

Use a business continuity plan when disruptions threaten daily operations. It helps teams continue working with minimal downtime and ensures systems and data remain secure. You can rely on it during:

• Major disasters and cyberattacks that shut down business activity. More than 40% of businesses never reopen after a major natural disaster, according to Gartner. A BCP continuity​ plan helps prevent that.
• Expensive mistakes and security slip-ups that cause system failures or data loss.
• Unexpected outages or evacuations that block access to backups or critical files.
• Missing staff, suppliers, or facilities that bring operations to a halt.
• Server crashes or inaccessible offices that keep teams from working.
• Uncovered losses and downtime costs. For small businesses, downtime runs between $137 and $427 per minute, according to Pingdom. That doesn’t include lost business or reputation damage.
• Pressure to recover faster than competitors and keep customer trust strong.
• Strict regulatory rules like FINRA Rule 4370 require documented continuity plans.
• Planned tests and audits that verify readiness and prove the plan still works.

You can also use an emergency action plan to guide the first few hours of a crisis until your full continuity plan takes over. A business continuity plan then keeps operations steady when things go sideways.

Building a BCP continuity​ plan takes focus and intent. It needs to match how your business actually runs. Once that’s in place, build out the key sections that show how your business will respond, recover, and keep moving when disruptions hit.

1. What Are Your Critical Business Functions?

Identify the activities that keep your business running. Describe what each one does, why it matters, and how long you can go without it. Set a trigger time, for example, 48 hours, to decide when recovery begins.

Think about possible risks like site damage, supply chain issues, cyberattacks, system failures, or human error. When your essential functions are clear, your team knows exactly where to focus during a crisis.

2. How Will You Recover?

Once you’ve outlined your priorities, create a clear recovery process.

• List step-by-step actions to restore operations.
• Assign each task to a specific person or role.
• Include the tools and resources they’ll need, like laptops, backups, and contact lists.

Keep the process practical and easy to follow. Test recovery steps regularly to make sure they’re effective when every minute counts.

3. What About Less Critical Tasks?

Not everything needs to restart right away. Include secondary tasks that can wait until after core operations are stable. This approach keeps the plan flexible and helps teams focus on what matters most first. Once essential work resumes, these smaller activities fill in the gaps and return business functions to full strength.

4. Where Will Teams Work If They Can’t Access the Office?

Plan for relocation or remote work long before you need it. Identify backup offices or digital platforms where teams can continue working. Make sure everyone knows where to go, how to access systems, and who to contact for support. Review these plans regularly to confirm they still align with your current setup and technology.

5. When Should the Plan End?

Your BCP continuity​ plan should define when recovery efforts officially stop. Outline clear conditions for deactivating the plan, and assign someone to oversee the transition back to normal operations. Document lessons learned so future responses are smoother and stronger.

6. What’s Not Covered?

Every BCP continuity​ plan has limits. Be upfront about what your plan doesn’t cover so expectations stay realistic. For example, it might not include long-term market shifts, unrelated legal disputes, or region-wide power grid failures. Clear boundaries prevent confusion and help leadership make fast, informed decisions when issues fall outside the plan’s scope.

7. Who’s in Charge During a Disruption?

Leadership should be clear before an incident happens. Name your team leader and backup leader, and include their contact details. Define each team member’s role so everyone knows who’s responsible for what. Clear leadership keeps decisions quick, coordination smooth, and accountability strong.

8. Who Communicates With Whom?

Strong communication keeps operations steady and builds trust. Assign clear points of contact for employees, vendors, and customers. When everyone knows who handles updates, information moves faster, and confusion fades. Coordinated messaging keeps people calm, confident, and focused, even in uncertain times.

9. How Often Should You Review the Plan?

Your BCP continuity​ plan should evolve as your business changes. Test it regularly, especially after major updates, drills, or real incidents. Refresh contact lists, tools, and processes to keep them current. Treat the plan as a living guide. It’s something that adapts and strengthens over time.

View the business continuity plan sample​ below to see how a complete plan works in action. Then customize and download the business continuity plan template​ in Word or PDF.