Optimizing mobility to marginalize interruption, a framework for facility management professionals that integrates virtual officing as a component of business continuity planning

Abstract

Interruptions in business are costly events to the organization, the workforce and the general community. Business continuity planning reduces the chance of interruption. However, often the methods prescribed involve costly processes that are not particularly attractive to the cost-conscious senior executive of an organization. Virtual officing (working with portable technology to support otherwise office-bound activities) may provide a more cost-effective implementation alternative. Virtual officing can enable the workforce to conduct their critical business functions in locations other than the affected area. Developing and implementing a program that integrates business continuity planning with a virtual officing environment requires knowledge of the workplace, workforce and the organization's core functions. Facility management can provide this integrated strategy with the appropriate context for its pursuit and realization. Although the above three practices may offer a better continuity strategy, we must provide a lucid justification and identity key motivators for their integration to be worthy. The argument must be structured so that the decision-makers within the organization (the senior executive) may appreciate the findings generated in a proposal and provide their commitment to full implementation. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)