By IT Brew Staff
less than 3 min read
Definition:
A runbook is a set of standardized instructions for addressing a variety of tech-related problems and procedures (like security breaches or network failures) at a company or organization.
Setting the standard
Runbooks are beneficial during incidents and other crises because responding teams can access a detailed set of instructions for troubleshooting problems. This can be especially useful when on-call staff are present or when incidents arise and the organization’s senior tech professionals are away.
A standard set of instructions and procedures also helps to mitigate downtime and reduce room for error.
Different types of runbooks
Runbooks generally fall into the following three categories:
- Manual: These are runbooks with instructions that are strictly followed by an operator.
- Semi-automatic: These runbooks are partly automated, but still require the role of the operator.
- Fully-automated: These runbooks have completely automated steps.
Tips for creating a runbook for your company
When creating a new runbook for your organization, start by identifying problems that should be featured, then craft a detailed step-by-step guide on how those problems were solved in the past. The language used in a runbook should be easy to follow and concise. Visual aids, including diagrams or screenshots, can be useful additions.
It’s important to remember runbooks are living documents, meaning they should be updated as needed when changes are made to processes or when directions become outdated.
