Support Guideline

1. Preparation

1.1. Roles and Responsibilities

  • Level 2 Support: Responsible for handling alerts and performing initial troubleshooting steps. Tasks include log analysis, diagnostics, and applying known solutions.
  • Level 3 Support: Experts with deep technical knowledge, called upon for complex issues. Responsible for detailed analysis and long-term solutions.

1.2. Tools and Resources

  • Monitoring Tools: Access to all relevant monitoring and logging tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack, etc.
  • Communication Channels: Dedicated communication channels for collaboration with Level 3 Support, e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, or specific incident response systems.

2. Alert Handling

2.1. Alert Reception

  • Notification: Receive and acknowledge the alert via the monitoring system. Ensure all relevant team members are informed.
  • Initial Assessment: Conduct an initial assessment to determine the urgency and potential impact on the system. Document initial observations and assessments.

2.2. Initial Actions

  • Data Collection: Gather all relevant data and logs related to the alert. This may include system logs, network logs, and application logs.
  • Analysis: Perform an initial analysis to identify the cause of the alert. Use known patterns and previous incidents as references.

2.3. Problem Resolution

  • Standard Procedures: Apply standard procedures and known solutions to resolve the issue. This may involve restarting services, applying patches, or adjusting configurations.
  • Documentation: Document all actions taken and results in an incident management system. Ensure all steps are traceable and reproducible.

3. Escalation to Level 3

3.1. Escalation Criteria

  • Complexity: The issue cannot be resolved with the available resources and knowledge at Level 2. Requires deeper technical expertise.
  • Time-Sensitive: The issue needs to be resolved quickly to avoid significant impact on operations.
  • Recurring Incidents: The issue occurs repeatedly and requires a deeper analysis and potentially a long-term solution.

3.2. Escalation Process

  • Communication: Inform Level 3 Support about the need for escalation. Use the dedicated communication channels.
  • Handover: Provide all collected data, logs, and documentation to Level 3 Support. Conduct a handover meeting to ensure all relevant information is transferred.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with Level 3 Support to resolve the issue. Assist in data collection and analysis, and ensure all actions are documented.

4. Post-Incident

4.1. Final Report

  • Documentation: Create a detailed final report documenting all steps and actions taken. The report should include a summary of the incident, actions taken, results, and recommendations for future incidents.
  • Lessons Learned: Identify lessons learned and areas for improvement. Discuss these with the team and implement necessary changes in processes.

4.2. Communication

  • Internal Communication: Inform all relevant internal stakeholders about the incident and actions taken. Ensure management and other affected departments are informed.
  • External Communication: Inform external stakeholders and customers if necessary. Prepare clear and concise communication to maintain trust and avoid misunderstandings.

4.3. Prevention

  • Process Improvement: Update and improve support processes based on the insights gained from the incident. Implement new best practices and ensure all team members are trained.
  • Training: Conduct training sessions for staff to raise awareness of similar incidents. Ensure all team members understand and can apply the new processes and best practices.

Conclusion

  • Receive Alert -> Acknowledge Alert -> Inform Team
  • Initial Assessment -> Determine Urgency -> Document Observations
  • Collect Data -> Analyze Logs -> Identify Cause
  • Apply Standard Procedures -> Resolve Issue -> Document Actions
  • Complex Issue -> Inform Level 3 -> Handover Data -> Collaborate on Solution
  • Incident Resolved -> Create Final Report -> Identify Lessons Learned
  • Inform Stakeholders -> Update Processes -> Conduct Training