IT Support Provider in Chicago Highlights Common DR Testing Mistakes to Avoid
As of 2025, 57% of SMBs now have an IT disaster recovery plan. However, simply having a plan may not be enough to protect your business continuity in the worst-case scenario. 57% of SMBs may have a plan, but less than 25% conduct regular disaster recovery (DR) testing.
| “Part of the reason why so many organizations neglect disaster recovery testing is either because they don’t know how, or they don’t have a partner who can do it. That’s why you need, at least, an IT consultant who can show you how it’s done, if not a provider who can do it for you.” – Patrick Brown, Director of Sales, The Isidore Group |
If you aren’t testing the disaster recovery plan, you have little evidence that it will actually work. Even if you took the time to specify what must be protected and how, it’s hard to know if your planned processes will function as expected if they haven’t been tested.
In this article, an IT support provider in Chicago explains how to perform disaster recovery testing effectively, interpret your DR test results, and understand the key factors needed to validate your plan with confidence.
What is Disaster Recovery Testing?
Disaster recovery testing is the process of validating whether your organization’s disaster recovery plan will actually work when needed. It involves simulating various disruptions, such as data loss, system failure, or a cyber incident, to confirm that critical systems and information can be recovered within the expected timeframe.
The goal is to identify weaknesses in your plan before a real disaster occurs. Testing provides measurable proof of readiness by showing how well your team, technology, and procedures respond under controlled conditions.
Should You First Make a Disaster Recovery Test Plan?
You should always create a test plan before conducting disaster recovery testing. Testing without a structured plan can lead to confusion, missed steps, and unreliable results.
A test plan defines the scope of the test, the systems involved, the roles of each participant, and the criteria for success or failure. It also helps prevent disruptions to production systems by outlining safety measures and scheduling controls.
The following table is an overview of what your test plan should include:
| Element | Description |
| Objectives | Define the purpose of the test, such as validating backup integrity, recovery speed, team coordination, or a combination thereof. |
| Scope | Identify which systems, applications, and data sets will be included in the test and which will not. |
| Test Type | Specify the kind of test you’ll perform, such as tabletop exercises, simulations, or full recovery tests. |
| Roles and Responsibilities | Assign clear duties to each participant, including IT staff, management, and third-party vendors. |
| Testing Procedures | Outline step-by-step actions to follow during the test, including how to trigger recovery processes. |
| Success Criteria | Set measurable standards to determine if recovery efforts meet business continuity requirements. |
| Schedule and Duration | Plan when the test will take place, how long it will last, and how it will affect normal operations. |
| Risk Controls | List measures to minimize potential disruption to live systems during testing. |
| Documentation | Record every step, result, and observation to guide post-test review and future improvements. |
| Post-Test Review | Evaluate what worked, what failed, and how the disaster recovery plan should be updated. |
Also, remember that regular tests are essential. Tests have revealed that there is approximately a 3% gap between recovery expectations and reality. Technology evolves, so even if your last test made it seem like your plan was foolproof, a future test may reveal new issues.
How to Perform The Disaster Recovery Testing Process
1. Identify The Test’s Goals
Decide whether your goal is to test data restoration accuracy, recovery speed, or system availability. Clear goals keep the process focused and measurable. Without them, testing can become an unstructured exercise that produces little useful data.
2. Choose a Testing Approach
Select the approach that fits your readiness level. The right approach depends on your resources, risk tolerance, and how mature your recovery plan is. Here are a few examples of options you may select. Your approach may also vary based on what aspect of your plan you are testing.
- A tabletop test involves discussing recovery actions in a meeting setting.
- A simulation test introduces a controlled disruption to see how systems respond.
- A full recovery test goes further by performing a real restoration from backups.
3. Create a Safe Testing Environment
Set up the proper conditions for your test. Use non-production systems, isolated virtual environments, or backup infrastructure to avoid unwanted downtime. A safe testing environment lets your team observe and document recovery performance without risking live operations.
4. Run The Test
Carry out the test as outlined in your plan. Follow the documented recovery steps carefully and record key details such as recovery times, data accuracy, and system behavior. Stay alert for any steps that do not work as expected. Running the test this way provides direct evidence of how your systems and processes respond under controlled pressure.
5. Document The Results
Compile the results into a clear report that highlights what worked and what needs improvement. Use this feedback to update your disaster recovery plan, adjust your priorities, and plan your next test.
6. Analyze The Outcomes
After the test, review the data you collected in your documents. Compare the actual results with your expected recovery objectives. Look for delays, errors, or points of confusion. This analysis reveals whether your plan is realistic and where weaknesses exist that could lead to longer downtime during a real incident.
How to Interpret Data From Your Disaster Recovery Test Results
Recovery Time Performance
Compare your actual recovery time with your Recovery Time Objective (RTO). This shows whether your systems can resume operations fast enough to meet business needs. If recovery takes longer than planned, your process or resources may be insufficient. Faster recovery indicates strong preparation and effective execution.
Data Restoration Accuracy
Review how much data was recovered compared to your Recovery Point Objective (RPO). If data loss exceeds your RPO, your backup frequency or replication methods may need improvement. Meeting or exceeding your RPO confirms that your backup systems are capturing and restoring information as intended.
Not sure how to find your RTO or RPO?
System & Application Reliability
Check that all essential systems and applications came back online correctly and without data corruption. If some systems failed or produced errors, it may indicate configuration issues or missing dependencies. Reliable recovery of all systems shows your plan’s technical procedures are well designed.
Team Readiness & Communication
Examine how effectively your team followed the documented process. Look for signs of hesitation, unclear roles, or poor communication during the test. Smooth coordination and quick response times suggest your staff is well-trained and understands their responsibilities.
Incident Variances or Unplanned Outcomes
Note any unexpected issues or deviations from the expected process. Hardware errors, overlooked dependencies, or missteps in documentation can expose weaknesses in your plan. If problems were resolved quickly or prevented from escalating, your plan demonstrates resilience under pressure.
Progress Over Time
If this isn’t your first test, compare the current test results with previous ones to identify patterns. Improvements in recovery time, accuracy, and coordination indicate that your disaster recovery strategy is maturing. If progress stalls or declines, your plan may need renewed attention or resource investment.
Let Our Chicago IT Support Team Guide You Through Your Next Disaster Recovery Test
When you’re ready to validate your disaster recovery plan, The Isidore Group can guide you through every step of the testing process.
Our team will help you design, execute, and review disaster recovery tests that confirm your systems and data can recover when it counts. We want to give you confidence that your plan works in practice, not just on paper.
Contact a trusted Chicago IT support provider today to find out more!
