How to Create a Disaster Recovery Plan
Preparing for a disaster is a serious responsibility, no matter the size of your business. The University of Missouri System notes that the best people to prepare a disaster recovery plan are those who are directly involved in your business, as they have the best understanding of your recovery needs.
Disaster recovery plans are living documents; they should change as the business changes. Disaster planning requires management to identify critical functions, establish restoration priorities, engage vendors for post disaster facilities and supplies, and provide documentation and training to employees.
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Things You'll Need
- Inventory of software applications
- Inventory of computer hardware
- Inventory of critical business equipment and supplies
- List of equipment and supply vendors
Instructions
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Critical Functions and Restoration Priorities
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Prepare an inventory of each business function and rate it according to its criticality for your business. For example, how long could your business operate without your main assembly line, treasury operation, garage or employee cafeteria?
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Prepare an inventory of all equipment and supplies needed by each business function. Include computer software and hardware, identifying each by version and vendor. Include unique items, such as paper with special watermarks, printer cartridges containing the Treasurer's signature or equipment that requires special modifications for your business.
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3
Document policies and procedures that will be in effect during the post-disaster period. If operations will run exactly as normal (i.e., in a facility that mirrors your current facility), include a copy of current policies and procedures manuals.
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4
Identify the order in which each function will be restored after a disaster, using its criticality. For example, restoring daily Treasury operations may be more important than restoring the audit function.
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Identify employees who will be needed in the first week after a disaster, the second week and so forth, and determine how these employees will be notified of their return to work date and how that date will impact their salary and benefits. As all operations may not be restored immediately after a disaster, all employees may not be needed until some time in the future.
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Instruct each function or operation to prepare an "emergency kit" containing copies of critical documentation or duplicates of key pieces of small equipment. In the event of a disaster during business hours, one employee and a backup should be assigned to grab the kit before leaving the building.
Post-Disaster Facilities, Supplies and Equipment
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Negotiate the availability of a location to re-start your operations should your entire facility be unavailable due to a disaster. Backup facilities may lease their sites to more than one business, so ensure that your company has priority in the event of a community-wide disaster such as a tornado or flood.
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Use the inventory of equipment and supplies to identify vendors critical to your recovery efforts.
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Negotiate disaster delivery terms with equipment and supply vendors to ensure that critical items are delivered as soon as your alternate location is available.
Documentation and Training
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10
Document the disaster recovery plan in detail for each business function or operation. Include employee contact details, clear directions to the alternate site, policies and procedures, and vendor and supplier contact details.
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Distribute the plan to necessary employees and ensure vendors receive information that is relevant to them.
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Provide disaster recovery training, using presentations and surprise drills where the building is shut down and employees must report to the alternate site and re-start operations.
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Update the plan at least semi-annually, or more frequently when operations, equipment or business functions change.
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