EPCT 3001 Continuity Planning and Management
(DRI International's BCLE 1500 Business Continuity Management curriculum and Qualifying Exam)

Partnering with DRI International (the globally recognized, institute for continuity management Business Continuity Management), ACC created the Continuity Planning and Management course (EPCT) for persons interested in, or just new to Business Continuity Management (BCM). It is designed for professionals who are at the introductory level of experience in the business continuity profession or for those current planners who are looking for a solid how-to-guide to building a business continuity program in their organization. The course is designed to expose the participant to all aspects of a holistic BCM program and to determine the most appropriate requirements for their organization.

This 15 session 45 hour program is the complete course for persons involved in, or just new to, Business Continuity Management. This would include professionals in the fields of emergency management, business continuity, disaster recovery, insurance, human resources and crisis and business management (which include risk, supply chain and operational risk management and information technology).

Topics include business continuity planning methodology; the purpose, goals, and objectives of plan development; products or expectations of the plan; human aspects of plan development; alternative strategies for recovery, the initial response to catastrophic events, development of an awareness, training, testing and exercise program, as well as maintenance of the business continuity plan.

Additional topics include developing public relations and crisis communication procedures, coordinating with public authorities, and emergency preparedness and response procedures.

Covering all 10 subject areas of the Professional Practices for Business Continuity Planners, and laid out in a practical and usable fashion, this course is the starting point for a professional interested in either developing a career, seeking certification, or both. Each student will receive a copy of the Professional Practices and will use it during the course activities. The course does vary from the ordering of these practices with the objective of serving the BCM planner to understand the applicability of these practices within their job responsibilities.

Using the near life case study company Cosmos Industries, the course reviews full-blown disasters and ensures the company stays in business using the best practices of BCM. These student activities are included throughout the course and are designed as knowledge checks to reinforce lesson materials and to provide students with hands-on activities that will enable the student to become familiar with and apply these principles in their jobs. Students will gain from hands-on interactive activities designed to assist all professionals in enhancing the visibility and reach of their BCM programs.