Normalisation (Standardization)

Normalisation, or standardization, is the process of establishing common, reusable rules for specific activities to achieve optimal order. In enterprise risk and business continuity management (BCM), it refers to adopting internationally recognized frameworks, most notably **ISO 22301:2019 (Business continuity management systems)**. This standard provides a complete set of requirements to plan, establish, implement, operate, monitor, review, maintain, and continually improve a BCM system. The core of normalisation is to shift an organization from an ad-hoc, reactive mode to a systematic, documented, and verifiable management approach. This contrasts with informal practices, which often lead to inconsistent response quality and unclear accountability, hindering organizational learning from incidents.

Applying normalisation in risk management involves several key steps: 1. **Framework Adoption & Gap Analysis**: Select an authoritative standard like **ISO 22301 for BCM** or **ISO 31000 for Risk Management**. Conduct a thorough gap analysis to compare existing practices against the standard's requirements, creating a roadmap for implementation. 2. **Process Documentation & Systematization**: Systematically document all relevant policies, procedures, and protocols based on the chosen framework. This includes standardizing methodologies for Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and Risk Assessment (RA) to ensure consistent and comparable data across departments. 3. **Training & Auditing**: Implement standardized training programs and drills for all relevant personnel. Establish a regular internal audit schedule to verify compliance and identify areas for improvement, ensuring the system's effectiveness. A multinational manufacturing firm that standardized its BCM program using ISO 22301 achieved a **100% pass rate** in client security audits and reduced recovery time by **30%** during a major supply chain disruption.

Taiwanese enterprises often face three specific challenges when implementing normalisation: 1. **Resource Constraints**: Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lack the dedicated staff and budget required for implementing and maintaining a formal system compliant with international standards like ISO 22301. 2. **'Chabuduo' (Good Enough) Culture**: The cultural mindset of 'chabuduo' can conflict with the precision and rigorous documentation required by international standards, leading to incomplete implementation and compliance gaps. 3. **Regulatory Complexity**: Businesses must comply with both international standards and local Taiwanese regulations (e.g., specific rules from the Financial Supervisory Commission), creating a dual compliance burden. **Solutions**: Overcome these by adopting a phased implementation approach, securing strong top-management commitment to drive cultural change, and using an integrated compliance framework to map local laws against ISO clauses, streamlining efforts.

Winners Consulting specializes in Normalisation for Taiwan enterprises, delivering compliant management systems within 90 days. Free consultation: https://winners.com.tw/contact