Michigan
State University
[Unit]Test Plan/Scenario Document
Individual
test plans or scenarios arise out of the overall DRP testing strategy for the
unit. They are generally written at
the function/process/specific system level.
There are five different types of tests that may be run.
Each is appropriate for the objectives to be achieved and the type of
process being tested. The five
types are:
Table Top Test:
the most informal disaster recovery testing procedure. Each disaster recovery
team verbally reviews the processes to recover data and applications.
Walk-Through:
more in-depth discussions about the actual steps in the recovery process.
Members of each team use the disaster recovery plan to discuss the backup
process and how to execute each step.
Simulation Exercise:
a more advanced test. A simulation
uses the existing disaster recovery plan to measure its effectiveness against a
fictional series of calamitous events. All of the responsible staff must be
present at the simulation, with each business or IS unit sending their
respective disaster recovery teams to the event as well.
Alternate Site:
If you use alternate facilities for hosting data centers or storage, you should
perform this test in order to ensure the alternate site operates correctly
during the recovery process.
Automated tests:
require very little interaction from team and staff members and can be used on
an ongoing basis to test the operations of applications. These tests involve
robotic monitoring systems. The system performs queries on software and
applications on a regular basis to determine their operational status.
Unit/Department
Name:
Critical
Function/Process:
From the
Business Impact Analysis and Recovery Strategy, indicate the function/process or
system having a disaster recovery strategy which requires testing.
Objectives
to Be Achieved by this Test:
In keeping
with the recovery strategy, what do you hope to achieve with this test.
Scenario(s)
For Carrying Out The Objectives Of This Test:
Identify the
type of test you will be using, and how it will be carried out.
It may be best to break this down into a series of steps (the results of
which will be documented in the "Test Evaluation" form).
Frequency
& Dates for the Test:
Identify the
frequency (i.e., yearly, monthly, etc.), and the specific time frames
(month/days) for carrying out the test.
Responsible
Parties: