COVID-19: Business resumption framework Optimize your approach to resumption planning

From crisis response to business resumption

Organizations are increasingly shifting their focus from acute crisis response to business recovery and building strategies to adapt to the “new normal” ushered in by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, many businesses lack a clear vision or roadmap to get there. Given the extent of ongoing losses and the continued disruption caused by COVID-19, it is clear that recovery is likely to be a drawn-out affair requiring incremental steps addressing everything from the reoccupation of key facilities and resumption of travel, to the reconfiguration of supply chains and long-term cost restructuring. That said, the crucial first step in the overall recovery process is the resumption of core organizational activities that have been fundamentally disrupted or suspended by the crisis—primarily, the reoccupation of facilities and the return of business travel.

Take a risk-led approach to reoccupying facilities and resuming business travel

Unlike the onset of the crisis, when many organizations were effectively forced to transition to a work-from-home employment model at a breakneck speed, resumption will require a more gradual process. While authorities are increasingly issuing guidelines for the reopening of specific geographies, companies should not be beholden to these factors alone and have the option of taking a measured risk-led approach. Organizational approaches to the reoccupation of facilities and resumption of business travel should be holistic, including consideration of a broad set of strategic and operational factors that have been customized to their unique risk profile. A risk-led approach balances the health and wellbeing of an organization’s people as well as the broader community with the reduction of financial and reputational risk.

Control Risks frequently hears from companies that fear being the “first movers” and are waiting to see what actions their peers ultimately decide to take. We have also found that many organizations are disproportionally focused on the tactical planning associated with getting their people back to the office (e.g., social distancing measures in the workplace, enhanced cleaning protocols, etc.) without pausing to first consider the crucial strategic questions that should frame operational planning.