How long does the typical planning engagement take?
While there are many factors that will impact a Business Continuity Planning (BCP) project, typically it takes 9 to 12 months to do one complete pass through the methodology; more complicated environments could take much longer. You must understand that your published plan is a living document, and could possibly be out-of-date shortly after you perform your first successful test! This is why any experienced BCP consultant will always do at least a quick evaluation of your current Help Desk environment and Change Control processes. Remember that Business Continuity Planning is a road, not a destination.