Ten Questions From Practitioners Around the Globe

Editor's Note: The following questions are representative of reader submissions over the last 3 weeks. Every week the Continuity e-GUIDE is going to over 22,000 readers, and growing! We'd like to have YOUR answers to the following questions, and we will compile those responses for distribution to our subscribers. Please let us know if your name can be included with your answer(s). If you prefer your answer to be anonymous, we will honor your request.

So please, YOU are the expert! Send your responses to content@disaster-resource.com

1. Often BC/DR planners need to rely on Subject Matter Experts (SME's) to tell them if the plans are sound or complete. To quote economist John Kamin: "Most experts aren't". A lot of experts exploit the "false authority syndrome". How do we tell if the SME we are relying upon really knows his/her subject?

2. How do we obtain Service Level Agreements that have bite?

3. What guidance exists concerning best practices for managing vendor resiliency, including sample contract language?

4. I read the statistic that 43% of companies never reopen after a disaster and 29% close within three years. Do the companies that close fail because of a lack of immediate response plan or because of a lack of a long-term response plan?

5. What are some good ways to measure (both quantitatively and qualitatively) the performance of Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery?

6. How does the planning group generate senior management buy in?

7. Why is disaster recovery planning less a concern today within senior management?

8. How does the planning group coordinate staff members' support in the virtual office environment?

9. What has happened to the Hot-Site Vendors? Can we, the planners, put all our eggs in only two (2) baskets?

10. Why does Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity Planning lag so far behind in "State of the Art" concepts?

Do you have an answer to one or more of these questions? Will you share your expertise with our readers? Let us hear from you. Be sure to include your name, company and email address. May we quote you? Do you want a copy of the report? Email to content@disaster-resource.com.