- Is this a productive server?
- If this database server is shut down, which applications will be inoperable?
- When applications are unable to work, will it result in financial loss or death?
- How sensitive are applications to a temporary database slowdown?
- When was the last successful backup?
- When was the last successful restore?
- Is the business ready for data loss by the time of the last backup?
- When was the last database integrity check?
- Is there a test environment where you can test planned changes?
- Is there documentation as to why the server is configured this way?
- What changes can't I make?
- Did my changes help?
- Has the overall performance of the applications deteriorated?