[HRDC] [6] [TE] BCM Training and Project: Executing Tests and Exercises

Executing Tests and Exercises

This is the final course and implementation stage whereby you are about to attend the third module or one-day HRD Corp Claimable BCM workshop organised in-house. This one-day session (module for blended learning) an be conducted to learn how testing and exercising is conducted.

This article is the seventh and last instalment of the "HRD Corp Funded BCM Project" series.  This is the reading for participants embarking on a BCM implementation using a combination of HRD Corp claimable training and compliment with consulting to develop, implement and finalize its BCM program for an organisation.

When the business continuity plan is complete, the logical next step would be to ensure that the plan works the way it was intended, and if there are errors, omissions or unforeseen side-effects, these are identified and addressed.

This module aims to equip participants with the know-how of planning and executing a test or exercise. Participants should apply this knowledge with their respective business units and complete one cycle of testing with them.

The process of conducting the "Testing and Exercising" module or "TE" in the HRD Corp Claimable BCM Project is as follows:

1. Supplementary Readings

Participants will receive emails containing bite-size information on Testing and Exercisng. The purpose of doing so is to introduce them to the key concepts ahead of the coming workshop. This helps participants optimize their time at the workshop.

What participants should do before the Online Workshop?

Participants are encouraged to:

1. Read through the supplementary material and try to write down any questions they may have on TE.
2. Complete the E-Learning module "Testing and Exercising"
3. Download the TE templates from the eCampus LMS Portal
4. Complete the TE templates (Design Profile) with the help of the "Guidance Notes" before attending the online workshop

It is important to note that because the workshop is a 1-time group event.  Hence, it is important that participants lock this event in their calendars. No repeat workshop will be conducted for absent participants and there is a possibility that HRD Corp will not approve the course subsidy if the participant is absent.

2. Workshop [Online]

A workshop is conducted to guide business unit BCM coordinators to use the findings from the earlier phases to:

1. Design and plan for a test or exercise
2. Execute the test or exercise
3. Report the findings and follow-ups of the test or exercise 

    

The first part of the workshop focuses on teaching participants about the principles and theories of testing and exercising. The second part will allow participants to learn by having them design an exercise and executing it with their course-mates.

Templates are used to facilitate the above testing and exercising processes. 

What participants should do "During" the workshop?

Participants will use the templates to design and conduct a mini-exercise in class. All templates are to be completed and submitted to the facilitator at the end of the workshop.

The soft copy of the TE templates will be sent to participants before the workshop; participants should load the templates into their laptops and have them available during the workshop.

Participants should also bring to the workshop the templates from the earlier phases.

In an online workshop, the above will be done over the ZOOM video-conferencing application.

It is important to note that because the workshop is a 1-time group event.  Hence, it is important that participants lock this event in their calendars. No repeat workshop will be conducted for absent participants and there is a possibility that HRD Corp will not approve the course subsidy if the participant is absent.

3. Demonstration

The workshop facilitator will conduct a short demonstration of how a simple tabletop exercise could be conducted. This demonstration is carried out before participants attempt to design and execute their own tabletop exercise.

This module completes the cycle of business continuity planning based on HRD Corp Claimable three BCM competency training modules.

4.  Consultation [Online]

After the workshop, participants and the BU BCM Coordinators will have one week to complete and submit the finalised TE templates (Design Profile and Test Evaluation Form) to their Organisation BCM Coordinator, who will consolidate the templates into TE Folder.

A complimentary 1-hour consultation session has been arranged for the Organisation BCM Coordinator to go through the report with the consultant. 

What Preparation does the Organisation BCM Coordinator need to do prior to the consultation session:

1. Get all BU BCM Coordinators to submit their finalised TE template after attending the instructor's online session. The BU BCM Coordinators are expected to make edits to their business unit or BU's TE template after the online workshop session.
2. Process the TE templates from all business units and open a TE folder to contain all of the tests and exercises results and documentation for submission to the organisation's management and future review by auditors.
3. Prior to the consultation session, send the complete set of comments will be sent over via email to the designated facilitator.
4. Book and attend the consultation session at the appointed time (on ZOOM)

5.  Public HRD Corp Claimable Course

If you have a new business unit BCM coordinator and is in need of the knowledge for "Testing and exercising", this colleague of yours can attend a similar public HRD Corp Claimable course.  This course is BCM-330 (Course code) and it is titled "Testing and Exercising Business Continuity Plans"

Once this session is completed, you are now ready to conduct tabletop exercises for your own department.

6.  Future Readings on TE

If you are interested in having a deeper insight on testing and exercising processes and techniques, this BCM Planning Series book "Testing & Exercising Your Business Continuity Plan" may be a useful resource for your future learning journey.

Training-led BCM Implementation Roadmap