Hurricane Melissa didn’t just test Jamaica’s infrastructure — it tested every organization’s Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) plan. And for many, that test didn’t go well.
Power failed. Connectivity dropped. Some teams had recovery playbooks sitting on shelves — untested, unproven, and useless when the pressure hit.
Here’s the truth: a plan that looks good on paper means nothing if it’s never been tested.
You can’t assume that because your continuity plan exists, it will work. When real disruption strikes — whether from a hurricane, cyberattack, or network outage — untested plans are often the first to fail.
Testing is what turns assumptions into assurance. It’s the difference between hoping your recovery plan works and knowing it will.
Why Testing Matters More Now Than Ever
Melissa exposed weaknesses that no one saw coming — recovery steps that didn’t match current systems, communication gaps between teams, and failovers that didn’t trigger as expected.
Regular testing finds those gaps before disaster does. It validates your recovery strategy, ensures everyone knows their role, and gives your team the confidence to act instead of freeze when every second counts.
More importantly, testing builds trust. When your people have practiced their response, they don’t panic — they perform.
Different Tests, Different Insights
Every type of test reveals a different layer of readiness. Together, they build resilience from the ground up:
- Tabletop Exercises: Talk through realistic “what-if” scenarios to confirm decision paths and responsibilities.
- Walkthroughs: Review each department’s recovery steps to ensure documentation matches reality.
- Simulation Tests: Run controlled drills that mimic real-world disruptions — evaluate how systems, backups, and communications perform under pressure.
- Full-Scale Tests: Go end-to-end. Validate that your organization can truly restore operations, not just parts of them.
Testing doesn’t just expose flaws — it measures progress. Each exercise delivers data on response time, communication flow, and recovery accuracy. Over time, that creates a feedback loop of continuous improvement — your plan gets sharper, faster, and more reliable with every drill.
Failure in Testing Is Success In Learning
Some leaders hesitate to test, fearing it might disrupt operations or reveal weaknesses. But here’s the reality: finding flaws in testing is the best outcome possible.
It’s far cheaper and safer to fail in a controlled simulation than during an actual disaster. Testing isn’t about proving perfection — it’s about proving readiness. Because a plan that’s never tested is a plan that’s never trusted.
Don’t Let the Next Disaster Be Your Next Test
BCDR testing should be consistent, structured, and reviewed after every exercise. The more often you test, the more confident you become in your ability to respond and recover — faster, smoother, stronger.
Book a consultation with Info Exchange to talk to one of our experts about setting up your first simulation.
Because Hurricane Melissa already gave you one test. The next one should be on your terms.
Related Articles:
- After Hurricane Melissa: Stop Treating BIA Like a Checkbox – Info Exchange
- After Hurricane Melissa: Eliminate Single Points of Failure in Your Business
