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Test types vary from minimum preparation and resources to the most complex. Each bears its own characteristics, objectives, and benefits.

Orientation/Walkthrough. Activities are characterized by

Execution in a conference room or small group setting;
Knowledge, rather that skill validation;
Individual and team training;
Critical plan elements are clarified and highlighted;
Team-building focus by individual management/response groups;
Interactive discussions among participants;
Response and management dialogue guided by moderator;
Documentation of participant discussions;
No mobilization of resources;
No simulation except as necessary to prompt consideration of pertinent issues;
Assessment of participant knowledge relative to training objectives.

Tabletop/Mini-drill. Activities are characterized by

Practice and validation of a specific functional response capability;
Focus on demonstration of knowledge and skills as well as team element interaction and decision-making capability;
Actual role playing with simulated response at alternate locations/facilities to act out critical steps, recognize difficulties, and resolve problems in a non-threatening format;
Mobilization by limited elements of the crisis management/response organization to practice proper coordination;
Varying degrees of actual, as opposed to simulated, notification and recourse mobilization to reinforce the content and logic of the plan;
Simulation of nonparticipating, essential activities that impact response efforts;
Use of controllers to ensure that activity remains within intended scope of the exercise;]
Evaluation of performance and ability of multiple elements to work together effectively, demonstrate specific skills, decision-making abilities, and knowledge of response operations relative to drill objectives.

Functional Exercises. Activities are characterized by

Demonstration of emergency management capabilities of several groups practicing a series of interactive functions such as direction, control, assessment, operations, and planning;
Actual or simulated response to alternate locations/facilities using actual communications capabilities;
Involvement of multiple emergency organizations and various organizational units of the organization, with optional involvement of external groups (fire department, EMS, etc.);
Mobilization of personnel and resources at varied geographical sites;
Varying degrees of actual, as opposed to simulated, notification and resource mobilization;
Simulation of nonparticipating, essential activities that impact response efforts;
Use of controllers, evaluators, and observers to ensure that activity remains within intended parameters of the exercise;
Evaluation of individual/team performance relative to exercise objectives;
Introduction of realistic and unexpected complication(s) in the exercise scenario (optional).

Full-scale Exercise. Activities are characterized by

Validation of crisis response functions;
Demonstration of knowledge and skills, as well as management response element interaction and decision-making capability;
Most complexity, as it generally involves elements which are outside of the span of control of a single entity;
On-the-scene coordination and policy-making roles are demanded;
Direction and control, mobilization of resources, communication, and other special functions are rigorously exercised;
Actual response locations/facilities;
Involvement and interaction of all internal and external management response elements with full involvement of external organizations;
Exercises generally extend over a longer period of time to allow issues to fully evolve as they would in a crisis, and allow realistic play of all the involved groups;
Mobilization of all combined elements of the crisis management response organization;
Actual, as opposed to simulated, notification and resource mobilization;
Use of controllers to ensure that activity remains within intended scope of the exercise;
Evaluation of collective company performance relative to the exercise objectives.