Practical guidance from A2NY IT WORKS. Adapt the checklist to your environment and document the decisions that matter.
Identify what matters
Start with business processes and data, not storage products. List shared files, databases, email, application data, device data, and the people responsible for each system.
Define recovery expectations
For each important system, record how much recent work the business could recreate and how long it could operate without access. These answers guide backup frequency and recovery priorities.
Record the backup path
Document where copies are stored, how they are protected, how long they are retained, and who can restore them. A backup that nobody can locate or test is not a complete recovery plan.
Test and review
Schedule a small restore test and record the result. Review the inventory when systems, staff responsibilities, or business processes change.