Free COOP Readiness Checklist & Action Plan

Use this free continuity of operations (COOP) checklist to identify gaps, record evidence and turn priorities into assigned actions. Download the PDF checklist and editable Excel action-plan workbook below.

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Email signup: free COOP kit & occasional updates

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Download the Free Starter Kit (ZIP)

Prefer individual files? Download the PDF checklist or download the Excel workbook. No checkout is required.

What You Get

• An eight-page PDF with 24 readiness checks, evidence prompts, a three-action worksheet and a fictional worked example.
• An editable Excel workbook with Review, Actions, Example and Instructions tabs, automatic status counts and 50 action slots.
• A short start-here guide to help you use the files.

Eight Areas of Continuity

Leadership and activation; essential functions; authority and staffing; facilities and resources; communications and technology; records and information; transfer and return; practice and improvement.

How to Use It

1. Gather your current plan and recent test records.
2. Review each check and record Ready, Partial, Gap or N/A, with evidence or a reason.
3. Assign owners, due dates and closure evidence to the gaps.
4. Verify improvements and revisit the review after exercises, incidents or organizational changes.

Formats and Software

The PDF is designed for printing or annotation in your PDF reader and has no fillable form fields. Microsoft Excel is recommended for the workbook. No macros or external connections are used. The fictional example is separate from your working review totals.

This is a starter planning aid, not a complete continuity plan or a compliance assessment. Adapt it to your essential functions, authorities and applicable requirements.

Build on Your First Review

For a deeper review of an existing plan, explore the EOP / Continuity Plan Review Checklist + Scorecard. To practice decisions and validate fallback arrangements, explore the Tabletop Exercise Design Kit.

What is a continuity of operations checklist?

A continuity of operations checklist helps a team review whether essential functions can continue during a disruption. It prompts you to check responsibilities, alternate arrangements and supporting evidence, then record what needs attention. A checklist supports a continuity plan; it does not replace one.

Questions to ask during your COOP review

• Which essential functions must continue, and who sets their priorities?
• Who can activate the plan if the primary decision-maker is unavailable?
• Can staff access the records, technology and equipment they need?
• How will employees and partners receive instructions if normal communications fail?
• What evidence shows that alternate arrangements have been tested?
• Who owns each improvement, and how will completion be verified?

Practice the decisions behind your checklist

Use a focused discussion to explore gaps found in your review. Our tabletop exercise scenarios and planning guide include power outages, staff shortages, unavailable records and facility closures. After the discussion, record findings and assign follow-up actions.

Can I download the checklist without signing up?

Yes. The PDF, Excel workbook and ZIP download links above are available without email signup or checkout. Email delivery and occasional updates are optional.