Disaster-Recovery Checklist

Step 1: Create a Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) Planning Team

• Choose team members who have decision-making approval and sufficient authority to gather information companywide.
• Define team members' responsibilities.
• Create a clear organizational chart that outlines who is responsible for each aspect of disaster-recovery planning.

Step 2: Evaluate Your Business Processes

• Evaluate and rank (in order of importance) all business processes.
• Define what business processes, technology, systems, and applications must be restored for the business to continue operating.
• Determine the level of disaster protection you want to achieve.

Step 3: Determine Which IT Processes Will Be Incorporated into the DRP

• Evaluate existing backup and recovery processes.
• Integrate existing processes into the DRP.
• Upgrade existing processes as necessary.

Step 4: Implement and Test the DRP

• Document all duties and responsibilities of people who have disasterrecovery roles.
• Roll out any additional hardware or software needed.
• Test the DRP by walking through the disaster-recovery process.
• Based on feedback from the walk-through, modify the DRP to reflect the actual process.
• Get final management approval before distributing the final DRP documents.
• Distribute the final DRP documents to all involved parties.
• Maintain and securely store offsite printed copies of all DRP documentation.

Step 5: Maintain an Ongoing DRP Process

• Schedule regular DRP team meetings so that different departments can interact and provide ongoing input into keeping the DRP relevant and up-to-date.
• Carry out regularly scheduled DRP tests.
• Schedule regular updates to the DRP to accommodate changes to business processes or technology infrastructure.
• Schedule regular evaluations of technology and workflow, and update the DRP accordingly.
• Assign responsibility for all DRP update and maintenance programs to key people, plus designate a central person or persons who'll be responsible for cross-checking any changes.