5.2 - Operational Issues

 Operational issues are problems that could occur which lead to a reduction in productivity.

There are many types of operational issues:

• Security of Information: Ensuring that all data that businesses collect is kept safe and secure.
• This could include backing up data reducing the risk of data corruption or making it harder for unauthorised people to access it by increasing security measures.
• If it is revealed that a company does not keep their user's information secure, it could lead to a loss of business and hence, income.
• Health and Safety: Making sure that people in a business are protected from harm.
• This could mean that all employees must attend a course consisting of the risks that could occur when working.
• Without proper health and safety procedures, employees could get hurt sue the business leading to a loss in profit.
• Disaster and Recovery Planning: A disaster and recovery plan is a document created by an organization consisting of instructions on how to act when incidents occur.
• These allow for data to be protected in the event of a hacking event, a hardware failure or a natural disaster.
• Staff should be trained for what to do should a disaster occur and plans should be put in place to minimise loss.
• Organisational Policies: Strategies that ensure resources are used correctly.
• AUPs (Acceptable Use Policies) can be used to assist with these policies.
• AUPs are documents that consist of the rules that employees must follow and allows them to understand the consequences if they don't do so.
• Change Management: Approaches that are used when businesses change the way they operate.
• This allows businesses be more productive as their work is more suited to their goals.
• These changes can, however be confusing to members of staff and take a while to implement.

• Scales of Change: Businesses can change in two ways:
• Drivers: When business practices change due to modifications in legislation or new competition.
• Needs: When a businesses requirement's change, advancements must be made. This could include improved networking systems or allowing employees to remotely access the business system.