Purpose

This document aims to facilitate the execution and upkeep of plan testing and maintenance activities. Testing is crucial to ascertain the viability of documented recovery strategies and associated procedures in restoring critical business processes within their specified recovery time objectives (RTO). It validates planning assumptions and pinpoints the strengths and weaknesses of the plan. Additional goals of testing include:

  • Identifying and rectifying plan deficiencies.
  • Assessing the proficiency of recovery staff in implementing the plan promptly and effectively.
  • Identifying inaccuracies, outdated information, obsolete contacts, vendors, procedures, alternative locations, etc.

Many written plans are neglected and become obsolete within a year due to staff turnover, vendor changes, and evolving resource requirements. Regular maintenance ensures that the plan remains relevant and saves the business from the time-consuming task of starting from scratch when a disaster occurs. Maintenance objectives include:

  • Maintaining an updated and accurate plan.
  • Encouraging staff to update their personal information to enhance awareness.
  • Avoiding the need to repeat the entire planning process (BIA, RA, etc.) due to outdated information.

Despite the considerable time and effort invested in developing recovery plans, their value diminishes greatly without proper testing and maintenance. An inadequately tested or maintained plan may be worse than having no plan at all. This document will introduce various methods for testing and maintaining your plans, procedures, and strategies.

Table of Contents for Establishing Testing and Revision Practices Template

  1. INTRODUCTION
    1. Purpose
    2. Compliance
  2. TESTING PROCESS
    1. Establish Testing Process
    2. Determine Testing Requirements
    3. Types of Tests
    4. Test Objectives & Scope
    5. Test Measurement Criteria
    6. Develop Realistic Scenarios
    7. Create a Testing Schedule
    8. Prepare Test Plan
    9. Post-Test Reporting & Feedback
  3. TEST PARTICIPANT ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
    1. Test Controllers
    2. Test Project Manager
    3. Test Facilitator
    4. Test Observer (Evaluator)
    5. Test Recorder (Scribe)
    6. Test Participants
  4. MAINTENANCE OF PLANS
    1. Define Plan Owner and Maintenance Schedule
    2. Formulate Change Control Process
    3. Audit Objectives
    4. Responsibility
    5. Objectives of Auditing
    6. Audit Criteria
    7. Audit Evaluation
    8. Audit Schedule
  5. APPENDIX ITEMS 
    1. Appendix A – Business Unit Test Plan
    2. Appendix B – Technology Test Plan
    3. Appendix C – Example of Test Schedule
    4. Appendix D – Audit Checklist
    5. Appendix E – Audit Notification Memo
    6. Appendix F – Final Audit Report
    7. Appendix G – Test Notification Memo
    8. Appendix H – Types Of Tests

To view a specific section of this document, please contact us at Bob@supremusgroup.com or call us at (515) 865-4591.

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