Data Backup and Recovery Procedures

Data Backup and Recovery Procedures Guide for PMI-SP

Why Data Backup and Recovery Procedures are Important

Data backup and recovery procedures are critical components of project schedule management because they:

• Protect schedule data from accidental deletion, corruption, or system failures
• Ensure business continuity in case of disasters or emergencies
• Maintain the integrity and availability of historical schedule information
• Support audit and compliance requirements by preserving schedule records
• Reduce schedule development time when rebuilding is necessary
• Preserve intellectual property related to scheduling methodologies

What are Data Backup and Recovery Procedures?

Data backup and recovery procedures are documented processes that outline how schedule data is:

1. Backed up - the systematic copying and archiving of schedule data
2. Stored - where and how backup files are maintained
3. Recovered - steps to restore schedule data when needed
4. Tested - verification that backup systems work as intended

These procedures are part of the larger configuration management system and should be included in the schedule management plan.

How Data Backup and Recovery Works in Schedule Management

Key Elements of a Backup Strategy:

• Backup Types: Full, incremental, and differential backups of schedule files
• Backup Frequency: Daily, weekly, or milestone-based schedule backups
• Storage Locations: On-site, off-site, and cloud-based storage options
• Retention Policy: How long different versions of schedule data are kept
• Recovery Point Objective (RPO): Maximum acceptable data loss measured in time
• Recovery Time Objective (RTO): Maximum acceptable downtime for schedule systems

Common Recovery Scenarios:

• Recovering a specific version of the schedule after changes
• Restoring schedule data after system failure
• Migrating schedule data to new systems or tools
• Retrieving historical schedule information for analysis

Implementation Best Practices

1. Automation: Use automated backup systems where possible
2. Version Control: Implement naming conventions that include dates/versions
3. Documentation: Maintain clear documentation of backup procedures
4. Testing: Regularly test recovery procedures
5. Security: Secure backup data with appropriate access controls
6. Redundancy: Maintain multiple copies in different locations

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Data Backup and Recovery Procedures

Key Concepts to Remember:

• Data backup is preventative; recovery is reactive
• Both technical and procedural aspects matter
• Align backup strategies with project risk tolerance
• Recovery procedures should be documented and practiced

Approach to Exam Questions:

1. Identify the scenario context - Is it about prevention, recovery, or planning?

2. Assess the criticality - Consider the impact of schedule data loss in the scenario

3. Look for risk-related clues - Questions often link backup/recovery to risk management

4. Consider timeframes - RPO and RTO concepts often appear in questions

5. Recognize governance aspects - Questions may address who approves or owns backup processes

Common Question Types:

• Scenario-based questions asking for the best recovery approach
• Questions about backup frequency or retention policies
• Questions linking backup procedures to other knowledge areas
• Questions about responsibility for backup and recovery

Watch for questions that test your understanding of:

• The relationship between schedule complexity and backup needs
• The role of backup procedures in the overall schedule management plan
• How backup relates to configuration management
• The difference between data archives and backups

Remember that questions will often present a scenario where you need to determine the most appropriate backup or recovery approach based on best practices in schedule management.