Operational Runbook Document

An Operational Runbook Document is an operational document that compiles routine procedures and operations to facilitate predictable operational outcomes through standardized execution.

• AKA: Runbook, Operations Playbook, Operational Procedure Manual.
• Context:
  • It can typically standardize Operational Procedures through operational runbook document step-by-step instructions.
  • It can typically reduce Mean Time To Resolution via operational runbook document troubleshooting guides.
  • It can typically ensure Operational Consistency using operational runbook document standardized approaches.
  • It can typically capture Operational Knowledge through operational runbook document expert codification.
  • It can typically enable 24x7 Operations via operational runbook document shift handover.
  • It can often prevent Human Errors through operational runbook document checklists.
  • It can often accelerate Incident Response using operational runbook document decision trees.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Simple Operational Runbook Document to being a Comprehensive Operational Runbook Document, depending on its operational runbook document complexity.
  • It can range from being a Manual Operational Runbook Document to being an Automated Operational Runbook Document, depending on its operational runbook document execution method.
  • It can range from being a Static Operational Runbook Document to being a Dynamic Operational Runbook Document, depending on its operational runbook document update frequency.
  • It can range from being a Physical Operational Runbook Document to being a Digital Operational Runbook Document, depending on its operational runbook document format.
  • It can range from being a Emergency Operational Runbook Document to being a Routine Operational Runbook Document, depending on its operational runbook document trigger condition.
  • ...
  • It can multiply Team Effectiveness through operational runbook document knowledge sharing.
  • It can enhance Service Reliability via operational runbook document consistent execution.
  • It can accelerate New Operator Onboarding using operational runbook document training material.
  • It can amplify Operational Resilience through operational runbook document contingency planning.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • System Operational Runbook Documents, such as:
    • Webserver-Down Runbook for service restoration.
    • Database Backup Runbook for data protection.
    • System Startup Runbook for initialization procedure.
    • System Shutdown Runbook for graceful termination.
  • Incident Response Runbook Documents, such as:
    • Security Breach Runbook for incident containment.
    • Data Loss Runbook for recovery procedure.
    • Network Outage Runbook for connectivity restoration.
  • Maintenance Operational Runbook Documents, such as:
    • Patch Management Runbook for system update.
    • Log Rotation Runbook for storage management.
    • Certificate Renewal Runbook for security maintenance.
  • Verification Operational Runbook Documents, such as:
    • Documentation Verification Runbook for documentation accuracy validation.
    • Compliance Audit Runbook for regulatory verification.
    • Performance Testing Runbook for system validation.
  • Business Process Runbook Documents, such as:
    • Month-End Closing Runbook for financial operation.
    • Customer Onboarding Runbook for account setup.
    • Release Deployment Runbook for software delivery.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Policy Document, which defines governance rules rather than operational runbook document.
  • Design Document, which describes system architecture rather than operational runbook document.
  • User Manual, which explains product usage rather than operational runbook document.
• See: Standard Operating Procedure, Network Operations Center, Computer Operator, System Administrator, Information Technology, Service Reliability Engineering, Incident Management, Change Management, Documentation Verification Runbook, Checklist, Operations Platform.

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References

2020

• (Wikipedia, 2020) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/runbook Retrieved:2020-8-31.
  • In a computer system or network, a runbook is a compilation of routine procedures and operations that the system administrator or operator carries out. System administrators in IT departments and NOCs use runbooks as a reference.

    Runbooks can be in either electronic or in physical book form. Typically, a runbook contains procedures to begin, stop, supervise, and debug the system. It may also describe procedures for handling special requests and contingencies. An effective runbook allows other operators, with prerequisite expertise, to effectively manage and troubleshoot a system.

    Through runbook automation, these processes can be carried out using software tools in a predetermined manner.

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