Essential functions, mission-critical functions, essential business functions. Regardless of what you call them, they are the responsibilities, or tasks, that your organization must complete in order to be considered operational. These can range from HR and general accounting, to 9-1-1 call taking, and virtually anything and everything in between.
To help you identify and prioritize your organization’s essential functions, the BOLDplanning team suggests you ask the following important questions:
- What functions do we perform and which ones are most important?
- What’s the frequency of the function(s) that must be conducted – daily, weekly, monthly, etc.?
- What resources (people, equipment, facilities, specialized resources) are required to complete these function(s)?
- Are certain functions dependent upon successful completion of another (finish-to-start), and if so, which ones?
- Does our organization have a clear understanding of which functions must continue during times of disruption versus those that can be delayed temporarily?
- Of those functions being delayed, do we have an understanding of how long they can be delayed?
- Are there certain functions that we perform based on requirements by laws, regulations or mandates?
- What is the priority of our essential functions based on their importance to our organization?
- Does everyone within our organization understand their role(s) in carrying out our essential functions?
- Could we experience loss of revenue or a tarnished reputation if certain functions aren’t maintain