Gartner Research

Pandemic Preparation Checklist for COVID-19

Published: 05 March 2020

Summary

This preparation checklist can help organizations facilitate discussion for updating their business continuity plans in the light of severe public health threat, COVID-19.

Overview

While many organizations are equipped with business continuity plans, corporations should update these plans in light of severe public health threats, like COVID-19. Adequate preparation is particularly important because public health threats often carry unique characteristics that differentiate them from a “normal” business risk or disruption. These may include wider international impact, quick escalation and prolonged duration. Consequently, organizations may experience significant employee absenteeism, limited access to key inputs (particularly from affected areas) and logistics bottlenecks that result in inventory shortages and/or stockpiles. This preparation checklist can help organizations facilitate discussion for updating their business continuity plans.

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