The scope of the business continuity management system (BCMS) is the statement that defines the boundaries and applicability of the BCMS. It specifies which products, services, processes, locations, and organizational units are covered by the BCMS, as well as any exclusions or limitations. The scope should document and explain any exclusions, which are the products, services, or processes that are not within the scope of the BCMS. Exclusions may be justified for various reasons, such as:
The products, services, or processes are not critical to the organization’s operations and objectives.
The products, services, or processes are already covered by other management systems or plans.
The products, services, or processes are outside the organization’s control or influence.
The products, services, or processes are not relevant or applicable to the organization’s context or needs.
However, the exclusions should not affect the organization’s ability to provide products and services that meet the requirements and expectations of its interested parties. The exclusions should also not compromise the conformity of the BCMS with the requirements of ISO 22301, the international standard for business continuity management systems. The scope and the exclusions should be documented in a clear and concise manner, and communicated to all relevant stakeholders. The scope and the exclusions should also be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect the changing circumstances and needs of the organization. References:
ISO 22301:2019 - Security and resilience — Business continuity management systems — Requirements, Clause 4.3: Determining the scope of the business continuity management system1
ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 3: Business Continuity Integration, Section 3.1: Business Continuity Integration Levels2
ISO 22301 Clause 4.3 Determining the Scope of the Business Continuity Management System3
