"All-is-Well" Checklist

July 18, 2007

After a repair incidence, or major upgrade, you're asked to "test everything" and here's a comprehensive list. Use it as a baseline, add/remove custom items for your firm.

Recommended Basic Checklist:

• Domain/Workstation Login
  • Login successfully
  • Access your Windows desktop
• File Server access
  • Access data located on file server
  • Verify you haven't lost any critical data files
  • Successfully Edit/Update those files, or create new ones
  • Confirm above newly updated/created files are accessible by others
• Internet
  • Browse to a live page (hit refresh, or visit new page, testing gateway router & ISP line)
  • Able to type domain name into browser and reach site as expected (testing DNS)
  • Special online services/sites/features important to you, such as:
    • QuickBooks Online Edition
    • Stock Quote sites
    • Any other w/ special Active-X/Java/Flash/Shockwave requirements
  • Wireless Connection
• Email
  • Access existing email messages
  • Send/Receive messages to self
  • Send/Receive messages to outside contacts via address book
• Exchange Server
  • Shared Calendars
  • Delegation features
  • Outlook Web Access (OWA)
• Mission-Critical Applications
  • Your Line-of-Business Software
  • Scanner operations
  • User-specific Applications
• Printing
  • Local directly attached printer
  • All Network Printers you required
• Remote Sessions
  • Out-bound (to another branch office, or HQ)
  • In-bound (to your own workstation, must enlist others to test for you)
  • VPN In-bound access
• Backup Operations (DIFA only)
  • Verify the next scheduled backup proceeds successfully

• Test early and report findings ASAP, but not prematurely.
• Coordinate locally and report to me from a single point of contact.
• Consolidated reporting streamlines my efforts, reducing your costs.
• Significant findings warrants interim reports, before you can declare "All-is-Well."
• It steers my follow-up efforts & decisions, could eliminate some needless steps.
• Early detection of remaining issues preserves precious (but rapidly vanishing) options.