How do you select and train your continuity plan test team and participants?

It is advisable to identify and highlight your continuity plan objectives. This informs you of the needed and important tailored contents necessary for them. Organize the potential team that their skills and passion aligns with the purpose of the business continuity plan training. Each member of the team already have a role to play and the training is facilitating such knowledge and empowerment.

The most important part of testing is to test like it would happen if it happened for real. The individuals involved with the test should be the same ones that would be executing the actual response and recovery. If testing a technology recovery, you should not only test the mechanics of the recovery but also the notification and decision process of declaring the need for a recovery.

I hope this example will help (specially the beginners): in one 'communications' test, you wish to measure the time taken to call all numbers; in another one - you wish to check how many numbers are up-to-date; in another one - you wish to check how many people respond back; in another one you wish to check that at least 95% numbers are correct; in another one - you wish to check that at least 95% people respond back; in another one - you wish to pass on a message down the line and check the accuracy of the message received by the last in the line. All these are 'communication' tests with varying objectives. You can have another 'communication' test mixing all the above!

How many of these roles need to be filled is dependent on how long the exercise will last. Some tests can be completed in minutes, other can go for hours or days.

The test observer role is very important. In order to avoid bias and conflict of interest, it is good practice to have an independent/ third party observer.

People selected should have a role in the plan, Should know what the role is and should practice their role as part of the exercise.

In complex and fast paced tests (close to real diasters/ BC situations), the scribe becomes a very important role - he/ she takes quick notes and helps in developing the actionable Test Report. It is natural that many people take notes during a test (even if it is not their mean responsibility) - then there has to be a person who consolidates all observations and then makes meaningful inferences. The BC Manager/ Test Manager/ Test Facilitators generally do this job.

Just like the good practice of project management - spend more time in planning than in the execution or as a wise man said 'I spend 75% of my time in sharpening my axe before I set out to cut the wood!' Similarly, a good BC Test is the one that has been practiced - which includes training the participants. I had participated in a test by the UK Police while they were preparing for the London Olympics - I had a 2 line dialogue to be spoken (actually to be read from the given script) - we practiced for months to execute this test with the UK Police!