Begin with a system overview.
List servers, workstations, network components, cloud services, domains, backup systems and important applications. Record purpose, location, status and key dependencies.
Record responsibilities and contacts.
State who owns each service, who operates it and which supplier can provide support. Include escalation routes and contract references so that a fault does not begin with a search for the right person.
Document access while protecting passwords.
Documentation should identify required accounts, roles and recovery procedures. Store passwords and recovery codes in an appropriate protected system, not in an openly shared document.
Documentation needs maintenance.
Update it when systems, providers, network ranges or responsibilities change. A formally complete but outdated document creates false confidence.
Include contracts and renewal dates.
Support agreements, licences, domains, certificates and connectivity contracts can be critical during recovery. Record suppliers, reference numbers, terms and renewal dates.
Keep emergency information separately available.
If the normal network is unavailable, the recovery plan and essential contacts must still be accessible through a protected offline or independent route.
Show the update date and owner.
Every important section should reveal when it was last checked and who is responsible. This makes gaps visible and creates accountability.
Prioritise by operational value.
Document the systems needed to keep the business running first. Managed IT documentation should grow from practical recovery and support needs, not from an abstract template.