A runbook, also known as an operations manual or playbook, is a document or collection of documents that provides detailed instructions and information on how to handle and resolve various operational tasks, incidents, or processes within an organization. It serves as a reference guide for the operations team to follow when managing day-to-day operations, troubleshooting issues, or responding to incidents. Benefits include consistency, efficiency, knowledge transfer, standardization, incident response, improved training, greater continuity, and faster disaster recovery.
Key aspects:
Purpose: The runbook should clearly state its purpose and the specific operational tasks or processes it covers.
Content Structure: Runbooks typically have a standardized structure, organizing information into sections or chapters for easy navigation and reference.
Procedures and Steps: Runbooks provide detailed procedures and step-by-step instructions for executing tasks or resolving issues. The steps should be clear, concise, and easy to follow.
Troubleshooting Guides: Runbooks often include troubleshooting guides that help operators diagnose and resolve common issues or incidents. These guides may include flowcharts, decision trees, or checklists.
Dependencies and Prerequisites: Runbooks should outline whatever necessities need to be met before executing a particular task.
Recovery and Incident Response: For incident management, runbooks provide instructions for responding to specific types of incidents, including containment, analysis, mitigation, and recovery steps.
Communication and Escalation Procedures: Runbooks may include guidelines on how to communicate with other team members, stakeholders, or escalate issues to higher levels of support if necessary.