Mission Essential Function (MEF) 
and Primary Mission Essential 
Function (PMEF) WorkshopOverview for 
Continuity Coordinators

Agenda

..Introduction
..MEF/PMEF Timeline
..Purpose
..Roles
..MEF/PMEF Development Process
..Next Steps



Briefing for Continuity Coordinators

Name

Position

Office

Organization


What is Needed?
..A program to maintain a 
comprehensive and effective 
continuity capability composed of 
Continuity of Operations and 
Continuity of Government 
programs in order to ensure the 
preservation of our form of 
government under the 
Constitution and the continuing 
performance of National Essential 
Functions under all conditions

Purpose of this Workshop

..Provide training on the formalized process for D/A (D/A) 
submission of potential Primary Mission Essential Functions 
(PMEF) that support the National Essential Functions (NEF), 
which includes a review of:
..Interdependencies 
..Government Functions
..Mission Essential Functions
..Interagency Board (IAB) submission requirements



Lessons Learned

..The lessons we now have 
from such catastrophic events 
as the attacks of September 
11, 2001, and Hurricane 
Katrina in 2005, demonstrate 
the need to reemphasize 
continuity as a “good business 
practice”to be incorporated 
into day-to-day planning in 
order to reduce vulnerability 
and ensure continuity




A Katrina Success Story

..National Finance Center paid half a million Federal workers 
on time during Hurricane Katrina without delays:
..Surged work force before landfall allowing them to complete 
payroll processing for federal employees 
..Shut down operations and deployed to backup locations 
..Backup data was trucked out of the New Orleans facility
..Advance deployment team moved to backup sites
..Within a 50-hour period, they began catch-up processing



What is Continuity Planning?

..Continuity planning is simply the good business practice of 
ensuring the execution of essential functions through all 
circumstances
..Establish and ensure continuity of national priorities
..Identify those services that must be continued during an 
emergency
..Planning for the execution of essential functions must be 
integrated into daily operations, functions, plans, and mission 
areas
..Utilize Continuity Program Management Cycle to ensure 
continuity



Why is Continuity Planning Critical?

..The ultimate goal of continuity in the 
Executive Branch is the continuation of the 
eight National Essential Functions (NEF) 
which are the critical responsibilities of the 
Federal Government needed to lead and 
sustain the Nation


..The Federal Government’s ability to 
successfully execute its NEFs at all times, and 
especially during a crisis, is not an 
independent capability. The Federal 
Government relies upon key partners at all 
levels of government and in the private sector


SofL

Roles and Responsibilities

..President
..Leads the activities of the Federal 
Government for Enduring Constitutional 
Government
..The National Continuity Coordinator 
(NCC)
..The Assistant to the President for 
Homeland Security and 
Counterterrorism (APHS/CT) is the 
NCC
..Responsible for overseeing the 
Continuity Policy Coordination 
Committee (CPCC)




National Continuity Coordinator

..Maintains and revises as necessary the various D/A PMEFs 
and MEFs in order to meet the requirements for continuity, 
including Enduring Constitutional Government (ECG), 
Continuity of Government (COG), and Continuity of 
Operations (COOP)
..Will establish a Continuity Advisory Group (CAG)
..Will establish an IAB as a working group of the CPCC to review 
and recommend validation of potential PMEFS submitted by 
D/As for submission to the NCC for final approval



Departments and Agencies Actions

..On a ongoing basis, ensure performance of D/A PMEFs
..Within 90 days after Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) 
guidance, review/revise MEFs and submit potential PMEFs to 
the Interagency Board (IAB)
..Within 30 days after validation of D/A PMEFs and annually 
thereafter, ensure key leaders and support staff are provided 
familiarization training on PMEFs and MEFs
..Within 180 days after validation of D/A PMEFs, ensure PMEF 
and MEF interdependencies are coordinated



MEF/PMEF Identification Timeline

DHS/FEMA briefings on MEFs/PMEFs & FCD

NCP IP 
issued27 Sep 07NCP IP 
issued27 Sep 07D/A 
Continuity 
Coordinatorappointed26 Oct 07D/A 
Continuity 
Coordinatorappointed26 Oct 07Certify D/A 
has Continuity 
Capability 
Plan 
26 Oct 07Certify D/A 
has Continuity 
Capability 
Plan 
26 Oct 0730 days30 daysMEF/PMEFBriefing for 
D/A Continuity 
Coordinatorsby 25 Nov 07MEF/PMEFBriefing for 
D/A Continuity 
Coordinatorsby 25 Nov 0730 days30 daysFCD issued on 
Continuity 
Requirements 
including MEFs25 Nov 07FCD issued on 
Continuity 
Requirements 
including MEFs25 Nov 07FCD issued on 
D/A PMEF 
assessment and 
submission25 Nov 07FCD issued on 
D/A PMEF 
assessment and 
submission25 Nov 0790 daysWithin 90 days after 
DHS guidance, 
D/As review, revise 
MEFs and identify 
and submit 
potential PMEFs to 
DHSWithin 90 days after 
DHS guidance, 
D/As review, revise 
MEFs and identify 
and submit 
potential PMEFs to 
DHSCAG and 
IAB created26 Oct 07CAG and 
IAB created26 Oct 0730 days30 daysDHS submits 
compiled 
MEFs and 
potential 
PMEFs to 
IABDHS submits 
compiled 
MEFs and 
potential 
PMEFs to 
IAB

Implementation Plan

..The means by which the National 
Continuity Policy is translated into 
action and is intended to be a 
comprehensive and integrated list of 
directives for the Federal Executive 
Branch in order to ensure the 
effectiveness and survivability of our 
national continuity capability
..Describes how the Executive Branch 
will utilize thorough preparation and a 
continuous Continuity Program 
Management cycle to analyze and 
execute programs, policies and 
procedures to ensure continuity

Essential Functions

..The critical activities that are 
performed by organizations, 
especially after a disruption of 
normal activities
..There are three categories of 
essential functions:
..National Essential Functions (NEF)
..Primary Mission Essential Functions 
(PMEF)
..Mission Essential Functions (MEF)




Implementation Plan Goals
..Goal #1 –To understand the transformation 
of continuity
..Goal #2 –To establish and ensure 
continuity of national priorities
..Goal #3 –To ensure continuity readiness 
procedures and metrics
..Goal #4 –To promote interoperability

Goals and Objectives 
..Goal #2 –To establish and ensure 
continuity of national priorities 
..Objective 2A–To identify continuity 
partners and functions 
..Objective 2B–To identify Mission Essential 
Functions 
..Objective 2C–To identify Primary Mission 
Essential Functions 
..Objective 2D–To establish roles, 
responsibilities, and actions for the Nation’s 
senior continuity officials 

Continuity Capability

..An organization’s 
continuity capability –its 
ability to perform its 
essential functions 
continuously –rests upon 
key components or pillars, 
which are in turn built on 
the foundation of continuity 
planning and continuity 
program management 


An organization’s resiliency 
is directly related to its 
continuity capability

Continuity Partners

..Continuity cannot occur 
without the commitment and 
dedication of many others 
who play integral roles in 
ensuring our homeland 
security. Those partners 
include the following:
..Federal Government
..State, local, territorial and 
tribal governments
..Private Sector Critical 
Infrastructure Owners




Government Functions

..Government Functions are 
the collective functions of 
executive departments and 
agencies as defined by the 
Constitution, statute, 
regulation, presidential 
direction or other legal 
authority and the functions 
of the legislative and judicial 
branches




Mission Essential Functions

..MEFs are described as the 
limited set of department-
and agency-level 
government functions that 
must be continued 
throughout or resumed 
rapidly after a disruption of 
normal activities




MEF Initial Screening Aid



Primary Mission Essential Functions
..PMEFs are those D/A MEFs, 
validated by the National 
Continuity Coordinator, which 
must be performed in order to 
support the performance of 
the NEFs before, during, and 
in the aftermath of an 
emergency 
..PMEFs are those functions that need to be continuous or resumed 
within 12 hours after an event and maintained for up to 30 days or 
until normal operations can be resumed

PMEF Initial Screening Aid



National Essential Functions

..In accordance with NSPD-51 / 
HSPD-20, the eight NEFs 
represent the overarching 
responsibilities of the Federal 
Government to lead and 
sustain the Nation and shall 
be the primary focus of the 
Federal Government 
leadership during and in the 
aftermath of an emergency




National Essential Functions1.Ensuring the continued functioning of our form 
of government under the Constitution, including 
the functioning of the three separate branches 
of government; 
2.Providing leadership visible to the Nation and 
the world and maintaining the trust and 
confidence of the American people; 
3.Defending the Constitution of the United States 
against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and 
preventing or interdicting attacks against the 
United States or its people, property, or 
interests; 
4.Maintaining and fostering effective relationships 
with foreign nations; 

National Essential Functions5.Protecting against threats to the homeland 
and bringing to justice perpetrators of crimes 
or attacks against the United States or its 
people, property, or interests; 
6.Providing rapid and effective response to and 
recovery from the domestic consequences of 
an attack or other incident; 
7.Protecting and stabilizing the Nation’s 
economy and ensuring public confidence in its 
financial systems; and 
8.Providing for critical Federal Government 
services that address the national health, 
safety, and welfare needs of the United 
States.

Continuation of Essential Functions

..The interdependencies of the 
key partners and the 
functions of continuity
..Independent government 
entities at all levels and 
individual private sector 
companies are intimately 
connected and work together 
in critical partnership to 
ensure continuation of 
essential functions




Methodology

Review organizational functions to determine MEFs (consider legal 
authorities, survey lines of business, determine time criticality andidentify partners)
•D/A Continuity Coordinator confirms identified MEF with D/AheadReview organizational functions to determine MEFs (consider legal 
authorities, survey lines of business, determine time criticality andidentify partners)
•D/A Continuity Coordinator confirms identified MEF with D/AheadConduct a Business Process Analysis (BPA) for each identified MEF:
1.Outline key processes that impact the ability to complete the MEF2.Identify internal and external interdependencies3.Ensure the MEF interdependencies are inserted into the flow map4.D/A Continuity Coordinator approves BPA package with D/A headConduct a Business Process Analysis (BPA) for each identified MEF:
1.Outline key processes that impact the ability to complete the MEF2.Identify internal and external interdependencies3.Ensure the MEF interdependencies are inserted into the flow map4.D/A Continuity Coordinator approves BPA package with D/A headJoint effort between NCC and D/A Continuity Coordinator to identifyand confirm MEF(s) that must serve as PMEF(s)
Joint effort between NCC and D/A Continuity Coordinator to identifyand confirm MEF(s) that must serve as PMEF(s)

Business Process Analysis (BPA)

..The method of examining, identifying, and mapping the 
functional processes, workflows, activities, personnel 
expertise, systems, data, and facilities inherent to the 
execution of a function or requirement
..When preparing the BPA for your organization consider the 
following:
..The four pillars of continuity capability (leadership, staff, facilities 
and communications)
..Necessary resources
..External interdependencies
..Internal interdependencies



Business Impact Analysis (BIA)

..The method of identifying the affects of failing to perform a 
function or requirement
..BIAs prepared for PMEF should consider the following:
..Potential single points of failure(s) that may adversely affect the 
execution of the interagency PMEF support to the NEFs
..The impact of delayed PMEF recovery on NEF execution
..Potential PMEF process alternatives/work-around solutions
..Risk management options shall include policy development, 
business process reengineering, asset dispersion, continuity 
systems design redundancy, and other relevant options



Continuity Program Management Cycle

Plans and 
ProceduresEvaluations, After 
Action Reports, and 
Lessons LearnedTest, Training, 
and ExerciseDevelop 
Corrective 
Action Plans

Deliverables

..D/As will provide the IAB the following in their PMEF 
candidate package:
..D/A Memorandum
..PMEF Narrative Sheet
..Completed Excel Workbook template outlining Business Process 
Analysis (paper and electronic)
..D/A approved PMEFs and supporting worksheets will be loaded intoRRS for processing, it is critical that the format of the spreadsheets 
not be modified
..Other supporting documents as needed



Process for PMEF Identification

IAB conducts BPA to identify and map interagency PMEF processesto the interagency execution of the NEFIAB conducts BPA to identify and map interagency PMEF processesto the interagency execution of the NEFIAB conducts further detailed PMEF BPA to identify and map 
interagency PMEF interdependencies required to support the NEFIAB conducts further detailed PMEF BPA to identify and map 
interagency PMEF interdependencies required to support the NEFIAB conducts a detailed BIA to identify single points of failure, impactof PMEF downtime, mandated recovery times and mitigation strategyIAB conducts a detailed BIA to identify single points of failure, impactof PMEF downtime, mandated recovery times and mitigation strategyIAB submits final NEF BPA Mapping and BIA Reports to the NCC with 
findings and recommendationsIAB submits final NEF BPA Mapping and BIA Reports to the NCC with 
findings and recommendationsNCC reviews BPA/BIA findings to manage and lead the FederalGovernment Continuity program efforts as the NCC 
NCC reviews BPA/BIA findings to manage and lead the FederalGovernment Continuity program efforts as the NCC 

Next Steps

..D/As will identify MEFs and potential PMEFs to DHS
..DHS submits compiled MEFs and potential PMEFs to IAB
..IAB submits MEFs and potential PMEFs to NCC for approval
..NCC approves PMEFs
..D/As complete BIA based on approved PMEFs
..D/As ensure key leaders are trained on MEFs and PMEFs
..D/As ensure PMEF and MEF interdependencies are 
coordinated



Summary and Transition

Questions?


NCP Point of Contacts