Continuity of Operations Planning

Course Description:

Continuity of operations planning (COOP) allows for the continuation of the essential functions of government departments or agencies during any incident or emergency that may disrupt normal operations.  COOP addresses the recovery of critical and essential government operations in the event of an emergency.  This can be on a short-term basis, like a power failure, where having backup capability (systems, personnel, processes, files, and etc.) can quickly resolve the situation.  It can also be longer term such as in the case of a natural disaster when services are impacted for several days, or in some cases, weeks.

This course: (1) introduces the concept of continuity of operations and define its objectives and scope, (2) defines the organizational context of a continuity of operations policy, (3) offers an outline for a continuity of operations plan, and (4) emphasizes the importance of broad organizational participation in the development, training, and testing of continuity of operations plans. These concepts and principles are applicable to governmental organizations, not-for-profit organizations, public and private businesses, and faith-based organizations.

Target Audience

Academic Faculty/Staff, Federal Government Employees, State Government Employees, Local Government Employees, Non-Government Employees and Students

Learning Objectives

  • Introduce the concept of continuity of operations and define its objectives and scope
  • Define the context of a continuity of operations policy
  • Provide an outline for a continuity of operations plan
  • Emphasize the importance of broad organizational participation in the development, training, and testing of continuity of operations plans
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 Participation/CE
    Tulane Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) awards 1.00 hour(s) of credit for completing Continuity of Operations Planning
Course opens: 
10/20/2021
Course expires: 
01/01/2040
Cost:
$0.00
Rating: 
5

Instructor:

Andy Rucks

Andrew C. Rucks, MBA, PhD

Dr. Rucks is Associate Professor in the Department of Health Care Organization and Policy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), School of Public Health. He has almost 30 years of academic and business experience. Following the receipt of the Ph.D. degree in Management Science from the University of North Texas, he served four years in the US Army participating in strategic decision analysis and the development of large-scale computer simulations.  After serving in the military, he held business-school faculty positions at Auburn University, the University of Arkansas, UAB, and Samford University.  At Samford University for 10 years, Dr. Rucks managed the university’s computer service department for four years and was Associate Dean of the School of Business for six years.  He was the founding director of the Community Banking School at Samford University.  Dr. Rucks developed a consulting portfolio of local, regional, and international businesses including BellSouth, AmSouth Bank, The Southern Company, Protective Life Corporation, and a number of small- and middle-market manufacturing and service companies.  In 1997, Dr. Rucks left academia to become Chief Operating Officer of Sirco Systems, a medium-sized manufacturer of steel shipping containers with a world-wide market.  Following the successful growth and sale of Sirco, Dr. Rucks held operating executive positions in a middle-market conglomerate and later was a private-practice consultant.  In 2004, Dr. Rucks joined the School of Public Health at UAB as Associate Professor, where he teaches finance, management, strategic planning, and process analysis, conducts research in public health preparedness for all hazards, and consults in a variety of areas. He is the author of two books, nine computer programming aids, and more than fifty articles and cases.  Dr. Rucks holds BS and MBA degrees from Auburn University.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 Participation/CE
    Tulane Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) awards 1.00 hour(s) of credit for completing Continuity of Operations Planning

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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Required Hardware/software

System Settings 
This course is designed to work most effectively if your computer and internet connection meet certain minimal requirements. This course can be accessed using a Windows 10 PC or a Mac with High Sierra1, Mojave, or Catalina. Pop-up blockers should be disabled when viewing the course. Internet Explorer 11 (for Windows 10), or the current version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari (for Windows 10 and or Mac) is required. Many of our courses require Java and JavaScript enabled. 

Links to External Websites   
Links to websites outside this course will open in a new window or tab. Some browsers may minimize the course window. If this occurs, maximize the course window to return to the course. 

Adobe Acrobat Reader (for desktops and laptops)  
Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to access some documents in this course. If you need to download a free copy of Acrobat Reader, click here.  

Internet Connection Speed 
A minimum download speed of 1.5 Mbps is recommended for an optimal experience, which is commonly the speed associated with a basic DSL or a cellular/satellite connection. A faster connection, such as cable or fiber service, with further enhance your online experience. A Wi-Fi connection is generally acceptable, but it is dependent upon one of the two services mentioned above. You can check your internet connection speed at http://www.speedtest.net/.