Training Module
Auditing Business Impact Analysis
Assess whether business impact analyses produce credible recovery priorities and recovery objectives in an ISO 22301 BCMS
Training module overview
The business impact analysis (BIA) is the analytical foundation of business continuity management in ISO 22301. It identifies which activities are critical, evaluates the consequences of disruption, and defines recovery priorities and recovery objectives that guide continuity arrangements.
In practice, BIAs frequently appear well documented while decision logic remains weak: critical activities are inconsistently prioritised, recovery objectives are copied from assumptions, and dependencies are not realistically considered.
This module develops the capability to audit whether a BIA produces credible recovery priorities and recovery objectives. Participants first review the purpose and structure of BIA within ISO 22301 and then learn how auditors test prioritisation logic, impact reasoning, dependency coverage, and recovery objective credibility.
Applicable environments
This module focuses on auditing clauses and controls that are specific to ISO 22301. It is intended for auditors working with organisations operating an business continuity management system (BCMS) according to this standard.
Target audience
Aspiring auditors who want to audit business continuity management systems against ISO 22301 following best practices
Practising ISO 22301 auditors who want to strengthen their audit knowledge, judgement, and effectiveness
Decision support
Is this module for you?
It is a good fit if you…
audit business continuity management systems under ISO 22301.
seek to judge whether BIA outputs support credible recovery priorities.
want to test recovery objective credibility using impact and dependency logic.
focus on evidence for prioritisation rather than document completeness.
expect to strengthen audit conclusions on continuity decision logic.
If most of the points above apply, this module is likely a good fit.
It may not be the best fit if you…
prefer to conduct BIAs or determine recovery priorities yourself.
are looking for methods to calculate impacts or define recovery objectives.
focus primarily on resilience design or continuity planning.
do not intend to audit business impact analysis processes.
Agenda
Business impact analysis in ISO 22301
Effective auditing of business impact analysis
Critical activity identification
Impact evaluation logic
Recovery objective credibility
Dependencies and supporting resources
Common BIA failure patterns
Case-based audit simulation
Show detailed agenda...
Learning outcomes
Key outcomes
Assess whether business impact analyses identify critical activities and disruption impacts coherently
Test recovery time and recovery point objectives for plausibility using impact and dependency evidence
Trace BIA outputs to recovery priorities using defensible audit evidence
Additional capabilities
Evaluate whether dependencies are sufficiently reflected in BIA impact reasoning
Detect common BIA failure patterns such as copied recovery targets or inconsistent prioritisation
Select meaningful sampling targets when auditing BIA outputs across functions or sites
Formulate defensible audit conclusions on BIA credibility and decision usefulness
Additional benefits
Learning materials
Slide deck
Participant workbook
Templates & tools
Practical, reusable artefacts to apply the module directly to your organisation.
Audit interview planning tool
Documented information checklist
Sampling tool
Audit analysis worksheets
Failure pattern library
Supporting AI prompt set
Confirmation
Certificate of completion
Delivery & learning format
Virtual live teaching
This module is delivered live, with a strong focus on discussion, practical application, and direct interaction with the instructor.
Sessions work through realistic examples, clarify concepts in context, and apply methods directly to participants’ organisational realities.
Custom delivery options
For organisations with specific constraints or learning objectives, the module can be adapted in format or scope, including in-house delivery and contextualised case material.
For an optimal learning experience
Preparation guidance
This module is designed as part of a modular training approach. Topics are deliberately distributed across modules and are not repeated in full, in order to avoid unnecessary redundancy. Each module is self-contained and can be taken on its own. Where prior knowledge or experience is helpful, this is indicated below so you can decide whether any preparation is useful for you.
Assumed background
This module assumes participants can perform basic audit activities and apply evidence-based judgement.
Helpful background includes:
General understanding of ISO 22301 terminology and business continuity concepts.
Ability to follow audit trails across organisational processes and supporting resources.
Basic familiarity with disruption scenarios and operational dependencies.
Preparatory modules
Foundational modules (depending on background)
Useful if you are new to the underlying concepts or want a shared baseline before attending this module.
Supporting modules (optional)
Helpful if you want to deepen related skills, but not required to participate effectively.
