Abstract: A technique creates a compact state of snapshot metadata and associated selected snapshots that are frequently used and maintained in memory of a node of a cluster to facilitate processing of workflow operations associated with a logical entity in a disaster recovery (DR) environment. The compact state represents a minimal subset of snapshot metadata that is frequently used to perform operations in accordance with the DR workflow operations. In addition, metadata associated with the progress of the DR workflow operations processed by the node is periodically consolidated within the compact state. Illustratively, the selected frequently used snapshots of the logical entity include (i) a recently created snapshot; (ii) one or more reference snapshots; (iii) a snapshot scheduled for replication; and (iv) any snapshot that is queued for a current or future-scheduled operation.