What does 'Business Continuity Management' encompass in ITIL?

Business Continuity Management (BCM) within the ITIL framework is fundamentally concerned with ensuring that critical business functions can continue during and after a disaster or disruption. This process involves identifying potential threats to the organization and establishing protocols and plans to maintain operations in the face of these challenges. By focusing on critical business functions, BCM helps organizations minimize downtime, protect critical assets, and sustain vital services, thereby safeguarding their competitive advantage and reputation.

The emphasis on resilience in BCM means that organizations prepare for various scenarios, such as natural disasters, cyberattacks, or other unexpected disruptions. This preparation includes risk assessment, strategy development, and the establishment of effective recovery plans, which are essential components of a robust BCM strategy.

In contrast, managing workforce training and development, evaluating customer satisfaction, and planning marketing strategies are all important organizational functions but do not fall under the specific scope of Business Continuity Management as defined by ITIL. Each of these areas serves its unique purpose, yet they do not directly address the overarching goal of ensuring operational continuity during adverse situations.