---
title: "BCM Questionnaires 7: Testing and Exercising"
description: "BCM Questionnaires 7: Testing and Exercising"
image: https://blog.bcm-institute.org/hubfs/Audit%20Morepost/BCM%20Questionaire/IC_Morepost_Testing%20and%20Exercising.png
---
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##### BCM Audit Series
# BCM Questionnaires 7: Testing and Exercising
Testing and Exercising is to subject the developed recovery plan to test so as to ensure that it works.
[Moh Heng Goh](https://blog.bcm-institute.org/audit/author/moh-heng-goh) Jul 7, 2021
###### BCMS Audit Certified Planner-Specialist-Expert
#### Testing and Exercising
| ####  | Testing and Exercising are subjecting the developed recovery plan to testing to ensure it works. | [](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3893111/80ebad0c-f775-4253-be0f-0b8d829506ea) |
| --- | --- | --- |
#### Testing and Exercising Framework
- Is there a written schedule for exercising the plan?
- Is the frequency adequate?
- Has the BC plan been exercised following this schedule?
- Are there exercises devised to determine the adequacy of the plan?
- Are there exercises to show the executive and corporate audit that the BC plan has been tested?
- Are the exercises comprehensive?
- Are the various components of the BC plan exercised over a period of time, or are the same sections exercised each time?
- Do the exercises start small and gradually increase in complexity?
- Are the exercises fully scheduled so that all staff members know beforehand what will be exercised?
- Do some of the exercises have an element of surprise?
- Do the exercises include interdependencies?
- Is a written report made after the exercise?
- Does the report compare the results against pre-established goals and standards?
- If the report indicates one or more deficiencies in the plan, are these deficiencies evaluated?
- If the deficiencies are serious, has action been taken to correct them?
- Has the BC plan been updated accordingly?
- Is the critical staff rotated in the exercises so that each member participates equally over a period of time?
- Is the executive directly involved in the exercises?
- Are the recovery teams alerted and included?
- How is the BC plan tested?
- Notification and Walkthrough
- Integrated, partial and incident simulations
- Functional announced and unannounced
- When was the BC Plan last tested, and were the results documented?
- Should the BC testing documentation be reviewed that focuses on the weaknesses identified and their resolution?
#### Test Document
- Has the content of the Test Folder been prepared?
- Test Schedule.
- Table of Contents.
- Records of Exceptions Exception Monitoring Form.
- Has an overall test exercising strategy been decided on, and is a schedule of tests produced?
- Have all the tests to be undertaken been listed?
#### Business Unit (BU) BC Plan Exercises
- Should there be a confirmation that the items on the following list are still current:
- Grab List.
- Fire/Bomb Evacuation Procedures.
- Command Centers Contact lists.
- Regulatory/Other Authority contacts.
- Work Area Resource Allocation.
- Priority Salvage List.
- Stationery Stocks Held Off-Site.
- Vital Hard Copy Records.
- Suppliers List
- Did the BU BC Plan test the following areas?
- Critical Business Functions.
- Important Customers.
- Other important contacts.
- The host provides space in a crisis.
Did the component tests check the following discrete elements of the recovery process?
- Confirmation of prompt access to the alternate site.
- Availability of individual BC plans.
- Withdrawal of items from the various off-site storage locations.
#### Post-test Documentation
- Have profiles of the ‘Test Exercises’ been completed?
- Are the test exercise plans and results preserved to facilitate a review by the Auditors?
- Is the testing documentation kept separate from the BC Plan?
- Has a ‘Post Exercise Critique’ been completed for each test conducted?
- Are the completed critiques reviewed by the BCM?
- Does the BCM follow up on all exceptions noted?
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3893111/1b9562a3-44b0-4f3b-ba1d-5563718d7d4e)
#### Resource
Goh, M. H. (2016). **A Manager's Guide to Auditing and Reviewing Your Business Continuity Management Program**. Business Continuity Management Series (2nd ed.). Singapore: GMH Pte Ltd.
Extracted from **"BCM Questionnaires 7: Testing and Exercising"**
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