[BCM] [FSC] [E2] [C7] Testing and Exercising

Chapter 7

Testing and Exercising Phase for The Family Service Centre

Introduction

For The Family Service Centre (FSC), which provides critical social services to vulnerable families and individuals across Singapore, maintaining service continuity is not optional—it is essential.

Disruptions such as power outages, technology failures, pandemics, or natural disasters can severely impact its ability to deliver support, counselling, and community outreach.

Under the ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) framework, the Testing and Exercising Phase ensures that the Family Service Centre’s Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is not merely a documented plan but a practical, tested, and reliable approach that staff can execute when disruptions occur.

Testing and exercising allow FSCs to validate the accuracy of their plans, assess staff readiness, identify gaps, and continuously improve.

These activities range from simple initial tests to more complex simulations and live exercises. By gradually increasing the complexity of tests, FSCs can build organisational resilience while ensuring staff confidence in executing recovery strategies.

The types of tests conducted are grouped into two categories: Initial Tests and Advanced Tests.

(a) Initial (Basic) Tests

These exercises serve as the foundation for ensuring the effectiveness of the BCM Plan. They validate whether individual components of the plan are working as intended and prepare staff for more complex testing in the future.

1. Component Tests

Component tests verify whether specific business continuity resources and tools function properly.

Example for FSC:

The IT team tests the backup server and cloud storage to ensure client records and case files can be retrieved remotely in the event of a system failure.

Similarly, testing video-conferencing platforms ensures that counsellors can continue offering tele-support services during office closures.

2. Call Notification Tests

Call notification tests ensure that communication chains are functional and that staff can be reached quickly in an emergency.

Example for FSC:

A call tree test is conducted where the Centre Director initiates a notification cascade to confirm that all caseworkers, administrative staff, and volunteers can be contacted within a set timeframe.

This ensures the Centre can rapidly mobilise in case of a community crisis or sudden office closure.

3. Walkthrough Exercises

Walkthroughs allow staff to review their roles and responsibilities in the BCM Plan by “walking through” recovery steps without actual disruption.

Example for FSC: Staff gather for a session to walk through the process of relocating operations to an alternate site (e.g., a partner social service agency’s premises).

During the walkthrough, caseworkers discuss how client appointment schedules, case notes, and emergency referrals would be managed.

(b) Advanced Tests

Once FSC staff are familiar with the BCM Plan and initial tests have been conducted successfully, the Centre can progress to more advanced exercises.

These test the integration of multiple functions, simulate real-world scenarios, and may involve live enactments.

1. Integrated Tests

Integrated tests evaluate whether various components of the BCM Plan work together effectively.

Example for FSC:

A combined test is conducted where IT recovery, call notifications, and alternate site relocation are tested simultaneously.

For instance, the Centre tests whether caseworkers can access digital case files remotely while being notified of a simulated office power outage and directed to a temporary work site.

2. Simulation Tests

Simulation tests recreate real-life disruption scenarios in a controlled environment to evaluate readiness.

Example for FSC:

A simulation exercise is conducted where a cyberattack compromises client records.

Staff must respond by activating incident reporting procedures, liaising with the IT vendor, informing affected clients, and continuing essential counselling services using pre-prepared manual case logs.

3. Live Tests

Live tests involve full-scale enactments of the BCM Plan and often include external stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries.

Example for FSC:

A live test is conducted where the Centre simulates a sudden fire at its premises. Staff evacuate, follow safety protocols, and continue operations at a pre-identified alternate location.

The test evaluates not only the Centre’s readiness but also its coordination with external agencies such as the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

Summing Up …

For the Family Service Centre, testing and exercising the BCM Plan is not a one-time task but a continuous process that builds confidence, identifies weaknesses, and ensures resilience.

Starting with initial component, call notification, and walkthrough tests, FSCs can gradually progress to advanced integrated, simulation, and live exercises.

These structured activities ensure that when real disruptions occur, staff are prepared, systems are reliable, and services to families and vulnerable communities can continue with minimal disruption.

By embedding a culture of testing and exercising within the Family Service Centre’s operations, the organisation strengthens its ability to uphold its mission—supporting and empowering families—regardless of the challenges it faces.

Business Continuity Management in Social Services: A Guide for Family Service Centres
eBook 2: Implementing Business Continuity Management
C1	C2	C3	C4	C5
C6	C7	C8	C9	C10

More Information About Business Continuity Management Courses

To learn more about the course and schedule, click the buttons below for the  BCM-300 Business Continuity Management Implementer [BCM-3] and the BCM-5000 Business Continuity Management Expert Implementer [BCM-5].

	Please feel free to send us a note if you have any questions.