#35 Boosting your Observability Data's Usability
Starting this newsletter off with some changes to the newsletter then onto the writeup about this podcast episode.
Hey SRE friend!
I’ve decided to focus this newsletter on publishing written-only content in the future. The podcast writeups I used to do will not continue after Episode #35.
That episode’s titled Boosting Your Observability Data’s Usability. Check it out if you are interested in observability and maximizing its value.
There’s a write-up on the episode in the second half of this newsletter.
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Episode 35 [SREpath Podcast]
About this episode
The observability (o11y) revolution is underway with many organizations already instrumenting services. But are we getting the most from the data that is being collected?
Richard Benwell thinks we have room for improvement in this area, especially at the usage stage where we query and visualize the o11y data.
He is the founder and CEO of SquaredUp, a dashboard software company based out of Maidenhead, UK with over 10 years of experience in the monitoring space.
Richard highlighted the importance of converging human intuition with technical o11y implementations and moving from a narrow focus on collecting data to leveraging it for actionable insights.
You can connect with Richard via LinkedIn
Key concepts we explored
Our conversation touched on fascinating observability concepts like:
Overemphasis on Collecting Observability Data. The key theme of our conversation was that observability shouldn't solely focus on collecting vast amounts of data. The data should be used judiciously for insights and actionable intelligence rather than just being stored.
A Human Approach to Observability. Richard shared the need for human intuition and engagement in observability. Engineers should prioritize understanding how to use data effectively for engaging human stakeholders rather than solely focusing on the technical aspects.
Socio-Technical Perspective of Observability. Observability is not just a technical challenge but also a socio-technical one. It involves understanding human behavior, collaboration, and organizational dynamics alongside technical infrastructure.
Visualization Increases Engagement with O11y Data. It can make observability data more meaningful and engaging for stakeholders. The core premise of this is to simplify complex data into simple visuals that provide clear and rapid insights as well as give context.
Observability in Big Tech vs. Other Industries. We need to recognize that most of the ideas being shared are by BigTech for BigTech. While big tech focuses heavily on real-time data and rapid innovation, other industries need to prioritize stability, reliability, and business continuity.
Dashboards Should Be Interactive. While dashboards are valuable for sharing information, they are not very robust as static views. Aim for interactive dashboards that allow for exploration and drilling down into observability data.
Keep your Stakeholders Engaged. Lack of engagement in observability leads to a vicious cycle of declining data quality and relevance. Engaging users and stakeholders ensures continuous feedback and improvement in observability outcomes.
Make Observability Data Relevant to Business Context. Tailor your querying and visualizations to the specific needs and context of the business. You could use approaches like representing data in the form of a customer journey, to make data more relatable and understandable for stakeholders.
Don't Sleep on Continuous Improvement in o11y. Just like anything in technology, observability is an ongoing process. It requires continuous improvement and adaptation to changing business needs, technological advancements, and user feedback.
You will not want to miss Richard's insights that can improve the usability and ROI of your observability data.
In Episode #35 of the SREpath podcast, Richard Benwell gives ideas on making the most of your observability data [Spotify link]