Introduction to NonStop Operations Management

Contingency Planning
Introduction to NonStop Operations Management–125507
10-5
Step 1—Taking Inventory
Step 1—Taking Inventory
As a first step toward preparing a recovery plan, the planning team usually determines
what is at risk and prioritizes the risks. Taking inventory involves answering these
questions:
1. What is at risk? Consider everything that affects computer operations, including
staff, data, equipment, applications, the customer base, and the building.
2. What are affordable data and service losses for the company? How long can the
company function without running each critical application? What is the cost of
down time for each critical application? What are the intangible costs such as loss of
company image?
3. What types of disasters are most likely to affect computer operations? What is the
level of risk each type of disaster presents? What levels of risk are acceptable?
4. When is a situation a disaster; that is, when should the disaster plan be activated?
For example, if there is a fire near a site, when should the disaster plan be
activated—when the fire is next door, in the building, or in the computer room?
5. Who has the authority to declare a disaster?
Figure 10-1. The Disaster Planning Process
Gain Support of
Executive Staff
Form Planning
Team
1. Take Inventory
2. Develop the
Plan
3. Test the Plan
and Train the
Staff
4. Revise and
Update the Plan
as Needed
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