Backup strategies for dealing with LPARs

For instance, do we switch the tape drive resources back and forth between the two LPARs, or is there a way we can backup the test/development side to a save file and transfer it over to the production side for backup?

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You don't say if you are using a backup and recovery product such as BRMS, so I will answer only in general terms. I would recommend switching the tape drive at least once in a while, to get a full system save of the development/test partition, and save the production partition regularly. Depending on how much the development partition changes, I would still do the full save -- maybe once a quarter. Unless you have a very good change control system in place, things will change on the development system and it will make recovery easier if you have a periodic full save.

You can also make incremental saves on the test/development system to save file, as you suggest, and ship them to the production partition. Look into the SAVSAVF command. I always try to keep in mind that the key to a successful backup and recovery strategy is the recovery part. Consequently, I try to make that part of the equation as simple as possible. Periodic full saves of the development partition will help as it gives you a base from which to start the recovery.