Y2K Project Plan, Year 2000 Contingency Plan And Y2K Disaster Recovery Plan

With Year 2000 rapidly approaching, almost every company is focusing on the activities they will need to do before, during, and after the event. Those who are just getting started, there is a formidable challenge ahead. Component compliance certification, Y2K contingency plans and disaster recovery plans need to be completed.

No matter where you're at in the process, every organization should have a project plan developed to work from, and one that is being followed. To start, assign an individual to be responsible, and accountable, for the entire project plan. Develop tasks that need to be completed, and for each task, set a completion date and then assign a single individual to be responsible for that task. To assist you in the process, below are some guidelines and suggestions to follow in developing your project plans:

Major Task 1.0 - Inventory And List Elements Of Your Business That Uses A Date, Then Identify The Components Of Each
Assets

1.1.1 Building

Elevator
Security System
Alarms
Time Clocks
Timers
Heating And Air Conditioning (HVAC)

1.1.2 Computer System

Processor
Disk
Network Controller, Modems, Routers, Switches, Etc.

1.1.3 Lan And (12) Workstations

Processor
Disk
Network Controller

1.1.4 Application Software

1.1.5 Equipment

Copiers
Fax Machines
Phone Switch / PBX

1.2.0 Licenses

1.2.1 Operating System
1.2.2 Program Products

1.3.0 Leases

1.3.1 Special Equipment

1.4.0.Services

1.4.1 Courier
1.4.2 Payroll
1.4.3 Telecommunications
1.4.4 Electronic Commerce

1.5.0 Business Partners, Agents, Etc.

1.6.0 Suppliers

1.6.1 Products
1.6.2 Parts
1.6.3 Materials
1.6.4 Paper Forms
1.6.5 Supplies
1.6.6 Components

Major Task 2.0 - Determine If Each Component Above, Or Provider Of, Is Y2K Ready
2.1.0 Identify Component Source (who supplied it, who maintains it or who provides the service)
2.2.0 Identify Each Component's Compliance Level
2.3.0 Verify Y2K Readiness To Verify Compliance Level, By

2.3.1 Testing The Component
2.3.3 Obtaining A Letter Of Compliance From Source
2.3.4 If Possible, Verify That Compliance Has Taken Place, And Works

Major Task 3.0 - For Non-Y2K Ready Components Ensure That Change Is Applied, And Validated
3.1.0 Order Upgrade, Replacement Or Fix
3.2.0 Schedule Installation
3.3.0 Verify Installation
3.4.0 Test Change, By Validating All Date Formats By Using Critical Dates
3.5.0 For Service, Or Supply Providers, Insist On Proof Of Y2K Readiness After They Make The Change

Major Task 4.0 - Develop Or Update Your Disaster/Business Recovery Plan
Update Your Recovery Plan
4.2.0 If You Do Not Have A Recovery Plan, Develop One

Link to BRProactive Inc.

Note: The recovery plan you develop for your company is not just for Y2K.
In fact, in an emergency, the disaster recovery plan would be available for
use anytime. That is, the time and effort you expend on the recovery plan
now could pay off in an emergency, days, weeks or years from now.

Major Task 5.0 - Develop Y2K Contingency Plans (List below is not all inclusive, nor in sequence)
5.1.0 Develop A Year End Staff Schedule To Ensure Year End Coverage And Weekend Validation
5.2.0 Set A Date, By Late November (The Absolute Latest) To Stop All Changes To Your Operation
5.3.0 Notify Your Service Providers To Be On Stand-By And Obtain Off Hour Coverage Numbers
5.4.0 Verify All Phone Numbers
5.5.0 Verify Your Supplier(s) Have A Extra Supply Of Your Critical Parts, Materials, Supplies, etc.
5.6.0 Complete Maintenance On Your Generators And Power System By November
5.7.0 Fill All Fuel Tanks
5.8.0 Test All Changes And Upgrades Prior To "Freezing Changes" By Late November
5.9.0 Order And Install Equipment Replacements Where Appropriate
5.10.0 Backup All Computer Disk Files (Do Twice) On December 31st
5.11.0 If Your Computer System Runs 24 Hours A Day, Consider Shutting Down 2 Hours Before Midnight And Bringing It Back Up On January 1, 2000
5.12.0 Ensure Cell Phone Availability
5.13.0 Dust Off And Review Manual Processes In case Of Computer And/Or Application Failures
5.14.0 Schedule Staff In Over The Yearend Weekend To Verify All Your Computer Applications And Network Systems And Applications Are Producing Correct Results
5.15.0 Develop A Plan To Monitor Events As They Unfold In Earlier Time Zones And Roll Your Way
5.16.0 Ensure Your Staff Takes Precautions At Home In Case Of Problems ( if not they won't come in )
5.17.0 For Any Component In Your Business, Develop A "Workaround Process" And/Or Alternative Solution
5.18.0 Identify A Media Spokesperson For Your Company To Address Media Questions Should They Come
5.19.0 If You Have A Help Desk Type Operation, To Services Your Users And Clients, Consider Bringing In Additional Staff, Possibly From A Temporary Agency

BRProactive, Inc,. offers a disaster recovery planner containing an extensive introduction/guide and eight recovery team plans. Hundreds of recovery plans have already been developed using our comprehensive planner which is quick to learn, simple to use. Finally, and in closing, the Y2K contingency planning information on these pages is offered to you at absolutely no cost. It is done so because we care about your business, 2nd only to you.

DISCLAIMER: The above list of ideas, thoughts and tasks are offered for
your consideration only. They are not all inclusive, nor are they in any sequence.
Should you use this information in any way, you are doing so at your discretion and risk.