Interactive Electronic Runbooks for Automated Incident Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for maintaining computer systems and software services lack efficient interactive documentation for operational activities, particularly in generating and managing runbooks for handling system incidents, which can lead to inefficiencies in troubleshooting and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The development of an interactive electronic documentation system that allows users to interact with runbooks through graphical user interfaces, enabling automated and manual execution of actions via APIs, with features like real-time updates and data capture for improvement suggestions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional static documentation systems are used for operational activities, then the system structure is simple and easy to maintain, but the operational efficiency is low and troubleshooting processes are time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static documentation into dynamic interactive electronic runbooks that can be executed automatically. The runbooks contain actionable content with embedded commands that can be invoked through graphical user interface elements, enabling the system to adapt and respond to operational events in real-time rather than requiring manual consultation of static documents.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automated execution of operational procedures through embedded commands in the runbooks. When triggered by monitored events or user interactions, the runbooks can automatically execute predefined actions without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to service itself and reduce dependency on human operators for routine tasks.
2Loss of time
If manual documentation processes are used, then the implementation cost is low, but the time consumption for creating and updating documentation is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-defines actionable content with embedded commands during the runbook creation phase. By preparing and structuring the documentation in advance with executable elements, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming manual documentation processes when operational events occur, as the predefined runbooks can be automatically triggered and executed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical documentation processes with automated electronic systems. The interactive runbooks use embedded commands and automated triggering mechanisms to substitute human manual documentation creation and updating processes, significantly reducing the time required to create and maintain operational documentation.
3Extent of automation
If static runbooks are used for system incidents, then the documentation is easy to create, but the ability to automate repetitive tasks is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The runbooks are designed to execute automatically when triggered by monitored system events or user interactions. The embedded commands enable the system to perform operational tasks autonomously without requiring manual execution, allowing repetitive troubleshooting and maintenance tasks to be automated while maintaining ease of operation through the graphical user interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts executable commands from static documentation and embeds them directly within the runbook structure. This extraction of actionable content enables the separation of documentation from execution, allowing the system to automatically invoke and perform tasks based on predefined commands rather than requiring manual interpretation and execution of static text.
4Loss of information
If traditional documentation systems are used, then the system architecture is simple, but real-time updates and data capture capabilities are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that capture user interactions with the runbooks and system events. By monitoring and recording how runbooks are executed and what actions are taken, the system learns from actual operational data and can suggest improvements to existing runbooks or create new ones, continuously improving the documentation based on real-world usage patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The interactive runbook system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides operational documentation, executes automated commands, captures interaction data, generates suggestions for improvement, and updates itself. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a unified platform, managing complexity through integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments support or provide for interactive electronic documentation (or an electronic document) for operational activities associated with a system or service, such as one monitored or maintained by a system administrator or engineer. In particular, some embodiments provide for an interactive electronic document associated with a runbook, which can comprise a set of actions (e.g., list of operations, procedures, steps, and the like) to be performed with respect to a system or service in connection with an operational event, such as a system/service incident, scheduled maintenance, or a support operation.