This episode continues our coverage of Chapter 4 of the Site Reliability Engineering book (2016). In this second part, we take a deeper dive into the mechanics of SLOs.
Here are 5 takeaways from the show:
Start Small with SLOs: Begin with a limited number of SLOs and iteratively refine them based on experience and feedback. Avoid overwhelming teams with too many objectives at once.
Defend and Enforce SLOs: Ensure that selected SLOs have real consequences attached to them. If conversations about priorities cannot be influenced by SLOs, reconsider their relevance and enforceability.
Continuous Improvement: Embrace the idea that SLOs are not static targets but evolve over time. Start with loose targets and refine them as you learn more about the system's behavior. Commit to ongoing maintenance and improvement of SLOs for long-term success.
Effective Communication Skills: Recognize the importance of effective communication, especially for technology professionals. Develop the ability to translate technical concepts into plain language that stakeholders can understand and appreciate.
Understanding User Needs: Prioritize understanding and aligning with the expectations of users/customers when defining service level objectives (SLOs) and metrics. User feedback should guide the selection of meaningful SLOs.
#43 - SLOs: a Deeper Dive into its Mechanics