If you're planning on implementing new systems or products for disaster recovery, you and your team may require extra training. Mike Talon goes over some of the training alternatives, along with their benefits and drawbacks.
Disaster recovery (DR) planning is a process that will no doubt push your boundaries in terms of your knowledge base and hands-on experience. There will be some DR topics that you've never heard of, and some technologies that you know a little about, but you don't have enough experience with actually using them. How do you get ready to implement and manage these systems and new technologies when you may not have even worked with them before? Training will help bridge the gap between what you know and what you need to know to complete your DR plan and implementation, but how do you choose the best kind of training for you and your organisation?
Training methods you might want to consider
Instructor-based classroom training is a very effective way to gain needed knowledge in a short period of time. These classes often allow for hands-on training in a specially configured classroom setting, which can get you up to speed on the actual systems you're going to be using as part of your DR plan. The main drawback to this method is the fact that everyone who needs the training will have to be out of the office, and therefore unavailable for the length of the training period. This is in addition to possible travel expenses if the facility is not near your office.
On-site training is also an option. This could take the form of an instructor holding a class at your facility or having a vendor's installation staff to come in and train your department during the product's or system's implementation. While generally more expensive than classroom training, this does give you the ability to keep your staff on-site in case an emergency should arise. Of course, it can also be a drawback, as staff may be called away during critical periods of the knowledge transfer, leaving you without getting your money's worth from the event.
You might also consider alternatives such as taking online courses or self-paced studies. You can learn on your own with books and manuals along with access to test equipment on which to practice your new knowledge. Virtual server systems (VMware, Microsoft Virtual Server, etc.) are exceptionally useful in these cases, as they will allow you to practice your skill-set without endangering production systems and without the need to purchase large amounts of test equipment. Keep in mind that without mentoring to see you through the process, many people find the self-paced method to be somewhat less effective than instructor-led training. However, the overall cost reduction can often make this method much more appealing than the more expensive options.
Selecting the method of training that fits both your budget and your needs may mean using a combination of approaches. However, lacking the training required before moving forward with your DR implementation is a recipe for creating a disaster all by itself.
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