Maturity modelling: A qualitative approach

To restore, recover and resume operations in the wake of a major interruption to business requires clearly defined goals and the existence of a roadmap to achieve, if not exceed, established expectations. This paper proposes that the use of a qualitative approach to measuring business continuity maturity provides the ideal lens through which to gauge an organisation’s current state, identify the gaps that need to be closed, and create that roadmap to resilience. Specifically, the paper argues that looking at how well something is completed or understood provides significantly more value than a yes/no quantitative approach that looks only at if something meets expectations. As any successful programme requires ongoing refinement, this paper is intended both to encourage and challenge practitioners to understand better why — and how — to measure their business continuity programme, as well as provide a foundation for development, with a view to unlocking the opportunity for continued resiliency.