Merlins Fact Sheets - Contingency Planning

Merlin's
Blue*
Fact
Sheets
Contingency Planning

Feel free to
print this page
for future reference.

Suggestions for a contingency plan and recovery strategy.

What would you do if your whole computer disappeared overnight, or was destroyed? - Here are some suggestions for a contingency plan and recovery strategy.

Is a Contingency Plan really necessary? - People at home can probably do without a computer for a few days (if it was stolen or destroyed). However, people in business would probably be lost without it. If it does happen, all you need is your latest backup, and another computer to load it onto (and a place to do it).

In small to medium businesses where there are several staff members using a number of computers, it might be difficult to locate an alternative place to operate. A small amount of time invested to consider these things, and to have at least a brief Contingency Plan prepared, will mean that you will be able to be back in business fairly quickly.

Depending on its content, such a plan might be called one of the following: DRP (Disaster Recovery Plan), BRP (Business Recovery Plan), BCP (Business Continuity Plan).

Checklist - Some of the things to consider are:

If the computer equipment was destroyed, or stolen, can you quickly procure some replacement equipment? That includes: computers, printer(s), modem(s) and network equipment.
Do you have master copies of your programs stored safely, or duplicates stored safely (eg. Microsoft Office, accounting software, etc.). If not, can your supplier get another copy for you?
Do you have a record of all the serial numbers and registration codes for the programs? If not, you might have to buy new copies and pay for the programs again.
Would you have a recent backup of data/information to restore from so that you could readily have access to recent copies of your files?
If the office area was destroyed, and not readiy useable, where would you set up your new or temporary office? What sort of facilities will you need (eg. phone lines, phone system, fax, desks, chairs).
If your business has a number of people employed, then you will need to have a new location that is large enough for them. You will also need to determine what equipment is salvageable from the old office location.

Once you go through the process of considering each item above, you need to record the answers and other relevant information so that it becomes an action plan for use in a time of disaster. Not all of your staff need to be familiar with it, but some key staff should be.

For more assistance with preparing a proper plan, seek out the services of a consultant in the field.

Also see: Computer Backups

* - Merlin's Blue Fact Sheets are so named because the first versions (produced in 1989) were printed onto blue paper to help them stand out in a pile of plain paper. And today on the Web, the page background is blue.

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Please feel free to print this web page, and/or pass it on to others, provided that it is printed in entirety including the Copyright notice and home page web address below. Some of the computer terms used here are explained in our on-line Glossary of (Computer) Terms (it will open in a new Window). For a more complete glossary have a look at our Merlin's Techno-Guide. To search this web site for specific information, you can use the PicoSearch facility on our home page. Or to search the Web using a search engine, try browsing a Search Engine, Directory, Portal Web site from our (extensive list) Search Engines page, or the abridged version of the same page.

This site built and maintained by Robert B. Brain (in his spare time).
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Important: The information provided here is not advice. It is intended as a guide only, and may not be complete, nor relevant to every situation. It should not be relied upon. Any product or company names that might be mentioned here may be registered trade marks or trade names and owned by the respective companies, and they are are quoted here in good faith, without recommendation or endorsement.

Merlin's Blue* Fact Sheets	Contingency Planning
		Feel free to print this page for future reference.
	Suggestions for a contingency plan and recovery strategy.

Printing this page	Computer Glossary	Searching this site	Searching the Web
Please feel free to print this web page, and/or pass it on to others, provided that it is printed in entirety including the Copyright notice and home page web address below.	Some of the computer terms used here are explained in our on-line Glossary of (Computer) Terms (it will open in a new Window). For a more complete glossary have a look at our Merlin's Techno-Guide.	To search this web site for specific information, you can use the PicoSearch facility on our home page.	Or to search the Web using a search engine, try browsing a Search Engine, Directory, Portal Web site from our (extensive list) Search Engines page, or the abridged version of the same page.

© Copyright 1999-2003, Colonial Pioneer Publishing (ABN: 52 791 744 975). http://www.hotkey.net.au/~brain Last revised: 20 May, 2003.

© Copyright 1999-2003, Colonial Pioneer Publishing (ABN: 52 791 744 975).
http://www.hotkey.net.au/~brain
Last revised: 20 May, 2003.