CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS PLAN

COOP Overview: Planning Objectives

Ensure continued performance of essential functions

• Reduce loss of life/minimize damage
• Ensure succession to office of key leadership
• Reduce/mitigate disruptions to operations
• Protect essential assets
• Achieve timely recovery/reconstitution
• Maintain TT&E program for validation

COOP plans must:

• Be capable of implementation anytime, with and without warning
• Provide full operational capability for essential functions not later than 12 hours after activation
• Be capable of sustaining operations for up to 30 days
• Include regularly scheduled TT&E

Elements of a Viable COOP Capability

• Plans and Procedures
• Essential Functions
• Delegations of Authority
• Orders of Succession
• Alternate Facilities
• Interoperable Communications
• Vital Records
• Human Capital
• TT&E
• Devolution
• Reconstitution
• Provide vital services
• Exercise civil authority
• Maintain the safety of the general public
• Sustain the industrial and economic base

Essential functions:

• Agencies must determine functions that must be continued in all circumstances
• Most important planning element
• Basis for determining resource requirements:
  • Staff
  • Vital information/critical systems
  • Equipment
  • Supplies and services
  • Facilities