It’s not unusual for firms to come to us with a request:
“We need business continuity software. Can you help?”
It’s a fair question — especially when continuity planning feels like a mountain of data, documentation and decisions.
But our first response is always:
“What are you trying to automate?”
Often, the answer isn’t clear. Sometimes we’re handed a continuity plan that’s not fit for purpose. Other times, the organisation hasn’t yet defined what business continuity means for them. In those cases, software isn’t the solution. At least, not yet.
Software is a tool, not the starting point
Continuity planning exists for one reason: to make sure your business can survive major disruption and recover quickly. Everything else — documentation, audits, software — supports that goal.
For most SMEs and mid-market firms, resilience isn’t just about having a plan on paper. It’s about being able to demonstrate to customers, insurers, regulators and the board that you can keep operating when things go wrong.
Software can help with that. But it only works when the fundamentals are in place.
What BCP software actually does
Most platforms offer tools to document plans, map dependencies, track testing, and integrate continuity risk into broader risk frameworks. They’re often built with large organisations in mind and can be powerful when used properly.
But they rely on good inputs. If the assumptions are off — if every system is marked “critical” or recovery timeframes don’t reflect reality — then the software just reinforces flawed thinking. It’s like solving an equation with the wrong numbers. You’ll get an answer, but it won’t be the right one.
Already have continuity software?
If you’re already using a platform, that’s a good start — but it doesn’t guarantee resilience. Software is only as strong as the assumptions behind it. If your plan hasn’t been reviewed recently, or if recovery timeframes and critical process lists were set without proper analysis, the system may be reinforcing outdated thinking.
Here’s what we recommend for firms that already have tools in place:
- Validate your inputs: Are your critical processes and dependencies accurate? Do recovery objectives reflect reality?
- Test your assumptions: Run realistic scenarios and see if the plan works as expected.
- Check alignment: Does the software support your actual continuity strategy, or is it driving unnecessary complexity?
- Simplify where possible: Many SMEs over-configure platforms designed for large enterprises. Strip back to what matters.
If the fundamentals are sound, your software can be a powerful enabler. If not, it’s worth stepping back to review before investing more time or money.
Our approach: understand first, then decide
We always start with a full consulting-led implementation. That means helping clients understand their continuity risks, define what good looks like, and build a plan that fits their business.
Only then do we introduce software. And even then, it’s optional. Some clients choose to license our platform to manage their plans digitally. Others prefer to take the documents and manage them manually. Either way, the decision is informed, and the foundation is solid.
Our software is deliberately light-touch. It’s designed to support the plans we help build, without unnecessary complexity or cost. It’s there if it’s needed, and it’s not a problem if it isn’t.
Is software the right next step?
Here are a few questions that can help you decide:
- Do you have a current, tested continuity plan?
- Do you understand your critical processes and dependencies?
- Can you define what “good” looks like for your continuity posture?
- Do you have someone who can manage the system?
- Are you facing regulatory pressure that requires formal tracking?
If you’re not confident in most of these areas, software might be premature. Investing in understanding first will give you far more value — and help you avoid overspending on tools you don’t yet need.
A practical alternative
For many SMEs, a simpler solution is more appropriate. That’s why we offer a lightweight software option that supports the plans we help build. It’s easy to use, focused on what matters, and doesn’t require a dedicated resource to manage.
It’s not about selling software. It’s about making sure the right tools are in place to support good planning.
Final thought
Software can support resilience, but it can’t create it. Start with clarity. Build a plan that works. Then choose tools that help you keep it that way.
That’s how continuity planning becomes a genuine business asset — not just another checkbox.
