1. Identification of the vital or crucial functions of the company. What company functions, processes, and computer applications must continue if the organization is to survive and fulfill its objectives? This step also will identify crucial interdependencies. The identification of the minimum resources needed during recovery. What minimum utilities, equipment, staff, and procedures are needed to perform these functions? .
2. Development of an emergency operations schedule. Restricted capacity usually involves total loss of some functions and limited access to others. The remaining resources must be efficiently applied. .
3. Assessment of the availability of emergency methods and minimum resources must be made. What alternate sites, equipment suppliers, raw material sources, off-site storage, and so on are available? E.
4. Estimation of the recovery duration must be made. How long will it take to achieve emergency productivity and how long and how long to fully recover? (Chantico7).
One of the first steps in developing a Disaster Recovery plan is to assemble a recovery team. Management becomes crucial in that their commitment usually comes from a feasibility study by an initial planning group. A general evaluation of needs is made. The adaptability of existing policies and programs is reviewed. The probable level of necessary disaster recovery measures is estimated. Managers are interviewed regarding their concerns and priorities. (Chantico 92).
Line management in information services, usually conducts this initial analysis, and preparation for a project to be planned, possibly with the help of an internal audit. If it is politically expedient, consultants can be brought in to bridge the differences of opinion that will exist. The initial plan is not a detailed technical analysis, but is a management appraisal of the need for a disaster recovery plan, and the probable time and cost involved.