Page 18 - TNR-V01N1
P. 18
Scenarios Work Instructions
As part of the Disaster Recovery Framework, Work Instructions are very detailed instructions on
scenarios become the structured approach to a the actual recovery steps for a specific application
specific Disaster Recovery Plan. and/or component. This is the knowledge base to
recovery from a component element all the way up
The format of each scenario is consistent to provide to larger application functions. They may be a small
for improved success while executing the specific or a very large document that is to be followed.
plans.
The instructions should be very complete and NOT
The major areas of each scenario are; rely on internal undocumented knowledge. These
• Description – A brief description of the event Work Instructions are reusable across many Disaster
• Scope – The definition of what is in and Recovery Plans for they are specific to applications
potentially out of scope for the event. This and components. By leveraging a consistent
allows for containment for the recovery plans. method for these technical instructions, fewer errors
• Impacted areas – This is a comprehensive list are encountered, and a higher level of repeatable
of all applications and/or components involved success is observed.
in the scenario. Similar to scope but specific to
applications and components. The work instructions are potentially used frequently
• Impacted clients – Who are the stakeholders, by operations outside of a recovery process. These
action item holders, consulted with groups, instructions need to be complete so the individual
informed groups both at the business and using the instructions has all they need to complete
technical areas. the task.
• Resources – Who are the resources both
internal and external required to complete the
plan.
• Recovery Overview – This is the high-level Recovery Flow
description of the major checkpoints during a The recovery flow is as follows.
recovery plan. • BCP deals with the business
• Major recovery stages (Project Plan) – This is • DRF is the process to follow
a breakdown of phases with associated tasks • DRPs is the actual execution plan to follow
to be completed by the plan. It may or may not • Work Instructions are the actual instructions to
refer to technical recovery plans. be followed
• Recovery success determination – What is the
definition of success as it relates to the recovery.
Conclusion
Disaster Recovery Plans Plan the work and then work the plan. Your plan
The Disaster Recovery Plan is the actual plan to is the guide to follow. The plan will likely need to
follow wrapped in a specific communications plan. change during the execution but not the need
to have one. The Disaster Recovery Framework
Typically, this is a formal document, but it can provides a process to follow to ensure all the needs
also be a digital tool that lays out the plan to be of the business and its stakeholders are accounted
executed along with a communication plan to keep for during a recovery event. ■
all stakeholders informed and engaged. I am a firm
believer the plan should be digital and in the cloud.
That way it is always current and accessible and
more importantly, it can be audited. Tim Lalonde
Tim Lalonde is the VP of Technical Operations at Mid-
The contents of a plan may look like the following. Range. He works with leading-edge companies to
• Control be more competitive and effective in their industries.
• Introduction He specializes in developing business roadmaps
• Systems and applications leveraging technology that create and support
• Execution Plan change from within — with a focus on business
o Milestones process re-engineering, architecture and design,
o Work Instruction(s) to be followed business case development and problem-solving.
• Contact List With over 30 years of experience in IT, Tim’s guiding
• Teams principle remains simple: See a problem, fix a
• Results and Findings problem.
18
True North RESILIENCE magazine - Fall 2022
