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Course Details

Title

Exercising a Business Continuity Plan

Language

English

Start Date

10/06/2025

End Date

10/07/2025

Examination

Price

$ 995

Format

Online, instructor-led

Location

Web Based, Eastern Time
United States

Duration

2 full days of instruction (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Certificate of Completion Provided
16 continuing Education Activity Points (CEAPs) may be awarded towards recertification if applicable

Description

Designing and maintaining a Business Continuity Exercise Program can be as challenging as it is essential. This brand new, hands-on course provides the in-depth information resilience professionals need to establish an exercise program or take an existing one to the next level.

You will learn how to assess the efficacy of your business continuity plans using a blended exercise assessment approach that incorporates proven models, including DRI's Professional Practices for Business Continuity Management and The Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Plan (HSEEP). The training is designed to be flexible, scalable, and adaptable for all sizes and types of organizations, so you can choose to use what will work best in your environment.

Participation is key as you learn from our experienced instructors and from each other. Working your way through challenging material, you’ll build an in-class exercise while you discover lessons learned and best practices from the exercise community as well as current policies and plans that support training, technology systems, tools, and technical assistance.

Testimonials

"Great course for someone that is new to exercises and HSEEP." - CBCP, USA

"Great instructor and course, interaction with the other course participants was the highlight [with] a lot of valuable shared information!"

"One of the best courses I have ever taken..."
- CBCP, USA

Objectives

1. Clearly communicate the benefit of an exercise and evaluation program
2. Define the terms associated with Business Continuity Plan Exercise and Assessment
3. Understand Business Continuity Exercise and Assessment concepts
4. Describe the methodologies used in Business Continuity Plan Exercise and Assessment

Outline

Lesson 1: The Value of Exercising and Evaluating
- Establish a position statement
- Limit mistakes made in a training environment
- Enable decision making
- Produce tangible results
- Enhance business continuity awareness, training, and efficacy

Lesson 2: The ICS and HSEEP
- Discuss Incident Command System (ICS)
- Discuss Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)
- Review HSEEP guidance on developing a progressive exercise and evaluation program

Lesson 3: Fundamentals
- Review fundamental principles of exercising and testing
- Establish senior leadership guidance
- Assess performance against objective
- Exercise community integration
- Exercise management

Lesson 4: Program Management
- Discuss exercise and test principles, methodology, and planning
- Review exercise and test cycle of preparedness
- Explore engaging senior leaders in the exercise and test program
- Describe a progressive approach for the exercise and test program
- Review types of the exercises and tests and how to report results to leadership

Lesson 5: Design and Develop
- Present a design and development overview
- Review exercise planning, concepts and objectives meetings
- Describe developing the exercise planning team
- Discuss exercise design

Lesson 6: Conduct Exercise
- Discuss exercise and test preparation, management, and conducting activities
- Review conducting exercise briefings and wrap-up activities

Lesson 7: Exercise Evaluation
- Present an overview of exercise evaluation
- Discuss exercise evaluation planning and training
- Discuss observation and data collection types and analysis

Lesson 8: Plan and Implement Improvements
- Review corrective actions and continuous improvement support
- Conduct in-depth review of HSEEP forms and resources

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For in-person courses:
This course will be held in-person and the exam will be held on the morning of the final day. As soon as you are finished taking the exam, you will be able to leave for the day. A computer is required for this course in order for you to take the exam. The system requirements will be sent to you via email together with information about how to access the course materials prior to the start of the course.

For courses held online:
All online courses are held via Zoom and a computer is required for this course. The system requirements will be sent to you via email together with information about how to access the course materials prior to the start of the course. You will also be provided with instructions for how to take the exam online following the course.

For international courses:
This course is being hosted by a DRI International partner. To register, you will be asked to provide your contact information and we will put you in touch with the local team for details.

For courses held pre-conference:
This course is being held in-person prior to the DRI Annual Conference at or near the conference venue. You can then attend the conference immediately following your course with an additional registration (separate fee applies).

Download Course Brochure

Cancellation Policy

Courses are scheduled subject to a minimum enrollment. If enrollment for a particular course does not meet the minimum, that class is cancelled or rescheduled. If DRI International must cancel a class for any reason, DRI's liability is limited to the paid registration fee. DRI makes every effort to notify registered participants as soon as possible if classes are cancelled.

Registration applies only to the individual named on the registration form. If you want to substitute another individual from the same company, you must contact the course registrar prior to the first day of the course. Rescheduling must occur within twelve months of the originally scheduled course and no more than three course transfers are permitted. Within twelve months, there is no charge for course transfers. If you exceed the allotted twelve months for rescheduling or limit of three course transfers, no refunds will be made.

The following refund policies apply:

  • No refund will be issued if an individual cancels within 14 days of the first day of the course
  • A 50% refund will be issued if an individual cancels within 15-29 days of the first day of the course
  • A full refund will be issued if an individual cancels 30+ days before the first day of the course