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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Kuali Ready?

Kuali Ready is an online program, used to create and manage all continuity of operations plans.

How do I access Kuali Ready?

To access Kuali Ready, you must first request authorization by completing the Continuity Planning Intake Form. After you have been authorized, Kuali Ready can be accessed by going to Kuali Ready log-in page. NOTE: You will be required to take Continuity Planning for UNT System Institutions UNT Bridge training.

What is the purpose of having a continuity plan?
The purpose of a continuity of operations plan is to ensure that essential business functions can continue during, and resume after, a disaster or major disruption to normal business processes.
Does my department need a continuity plan?
While it is recommended that all departments develop a continuity of operations plan, not all are required. Some business units are pre-identified as required to develop and maintain a continuity of operations plan. If you are unsure if your unit is required, reach out to the Continuity Program Manager at continuity@untsystem.edu.
Who should be involved in the creation of a continuity plan?

Typically, a staff member with access to senior management is appointed as a Plan Manager, who will have the overall responsibility of completing the plan. The continuity team should be composed of a Plan Manager, an IT Liasion, and a Head of Unit (who gives final approval for the plan). Additional Plan Editors may be added as necessary.

How long does it take to create a continuity plan?
Typically, from start to finish, a plan could take three months with assistance and feedback from the Continuity Program Manager.
What needs to be included in a continuity plan?
Knowing what needs to be included in a plan does not have to be a difficult task. At UNT, departments have access to Kuali Ready which will take you step-by-step through the process of creating a plan. Once all sections are filled in, the program will consolidate the information into a continuity plan for you.
How do I know which functions are essential to my department or school?
When thinking of essential functions, think of those functions most necessary for business operations to continue during and after a disaster. If you are a liaison between Emergency Management & Safety Services and your department at UNT, it is important have access to upper-management to ensure all critical functions are listed in your continuity of operations plan.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
All continuity-related or Kuali Ready questions should be directed to continuity@untsystem.edu. 

Definitions

Action Items

Action Items are an important part of continuity planning. The process of thinking through the steps you need to take to prepare is critical to developing a culture of preparedness. Action Items are things that could be done now (or anytime before disaster strikes) to make your unit more prepared.

All-Hazards
A classification encompassing all conditions, environmental or human-caused, that have the potential to cause injury, illness, or death; damage to or loss of equipment, infrastructure services, or property; or alternatively causing functional degradation to social, economic, or environmental aspects.
Business Impact Analysis (BIA)
 A method of identifying the consequences of failing to perform a function or requirement. Kuali Ready walks you through the BIA process as part of filling out your continuity plan.
Business Process Analysis (BPA)
A method of examining, identifying, and mapping the functional processes, workflows, activities, personnel expertise, systems, data, interdependencies, and alternate locations inherent in the execution of a function or requirement. Kuali Ready walks you through the BPA process as part of filling out your continuity plan.
Continuity Event
Any event that makes it impossible for employees to work in their regular facility or perform normal business processes. This can range from a fire in a building, to a natural disaster, to a terrorist attack.
Continuity Planning
An effort within individual organizations to ensure that essential functions continue to be performed during a disruption of normal operations.
Delegation of Authority
Establishes who has the right to make key decisions during a continuity situation.
Dependencies (Downstream)
Downstream dependencies are the departments that would be seriously impacted if YOUR department could not perform its essential functions.
Dependencies (Upstream)
Departments whose reduced functioning would seriously impair your own department's ability to perform its essential functions.
Essential Functions
A subset of organizational functions that are determined to be critical activities. These essential functions are then used to identify supporting tasks and resources that must be included in the organization's continuity planning process.
Mitigation
Proactive, pre-event actions taken or improvements made to reduce the likelihood of a disruption occurring or to lessen the severity and impact of a disruptive incident
Mutual Aid Agreements (MAA)
Arrangements between governments or organizations, either public or private, for reciprocal aid and assistance during emergencies where the resources of a single jurisdiction or organization are insufficient or inappropriate for the tasks that must be performed to control the situation.
Orders of Succession
Essential part of an agency's and organization's continuity plan to ensure that agency and organizational personnel know who assumes authority and responsibility if that leadership is incapacitated or becomes otherwise unavailable during a continuity situation.
Preparedness
Acontinuous, proactive cycle of planning, organizing, training, equipping, and exercising to ensure an organization can maintain its essential functions before, during, and after a disruption
Reconstitution
The final phase of a disaster recovery process. It is defined as the process by which personnel resume normal, day-to-day operations at a primary, temporary, or new permanent facility after a continuity event (disruption) has ended.
Recovery
The implementation of prioritized actions required to return an organization's processes and support functions to operational stability following a change in normal operations.
Recovery Time Objective (RTO)
The period of time to recover an essential function's performance if that function has been interrupted. A statement indicating how quickly the essential function will resume if disrupted.
Resilience
The ability to prepare for threats and hazards, adapt to changing conditions, and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions.