Incident investigation: What can we learn from the software world?
Aug 17, 2021
auto_awesome
In a thought-provoking conversation, John Allspaw, founder of Adaptive Capacity Labs, shares his insights on incident analysis in the software world. He highlights the exciting intersection of software engineering and safety science, emphasizing the importance of viewing incidents as learning opportunities rather than just problems to solve. John discusses the nuances between incidents and accidents, the value of diverse perspectives in investigations, and the necessity of adapting compliance practices to foster creativity. His expertise offers a refreshing perspective on organizational learning.
Incident analysis in software engineering is crucial for understanding system behavior under stress and preventing failures through active management.
Emphasizing storytelling in incident analysis fosters organizational learning by capturing diverse perspectives and encouraging a culture of reflective dialogue.
Deep dives
Understanding Software Engineering Through Incident Analysis
The discussion underscores the significance of incident analysis within software engineering to understand how systems function under stress. John Alspaugh highlights that many incidents are preventable, and daily management by engineers helps avert unexpected failures. By using thought exercises, he prompts organizations to consider the implications of neglecting effective incident management, indicating that systems would falter without active oversight. This perspective encourages a broader approach to learning from incidents rather than merely fixing problems as they arise.
The Distinction Between Expertise and Experience
Alspaugh elaborates on the difference between expertise and experience, emphasizing that true expertise derives from diverse and challenging scenarios rather than merely from years spent in a role. Using firefighting as an analogy, he illustrates that a firefighter's experience varies greatly depending on the complexity and frequency of incidents faced. This highlights that situational challenges and adaptability shape expertise, making real-world problem-solving more effective. The conversation promotes the idea that organizations should cultivate a rich understanding of their challenges to enhance their situational expertise.
Learning from Incidents Beyond Fixing Problems
The notion of learning from incidents is framed as more than just addressing immediate issues; it's about enriching organizational understanding through diverse perspectives. This involves capturing narratives from various stakeholders to build a comprehensive picture of how incidents occur and are dealt with. Alspaugh points out that focusing solely on fixing problems can truncate learning opportunities, suggesting that organizations should create a narrative that appeals to a broader audience. By prioritizing storytelling in incident analysis, teams can encourage knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
The Role of Language in Incident Investigations
The terminology used to describe events in software organizations plays a crucial role in shaping perceptions and attitudes toward incident analysis. Alspaugh discusses the preference for 'incident' over 'accident,' suggesting that the former may foster a more open dialogue about events with varying severity. This approach encourages a culture of reflection rather than fear of repercussions, allowing teams to learn from near misses and smaller events. The framing of language aids in creating a safer environment where employees feel comfortable discussing incidents without the weight of potential blame.
In this podcast, John Allspaw, the Founder of Adaptive Safety Labs and I talk about the world of software engineering and operations and its connections to safety science and human factors. Together we explore what opportunities — and challenges — exist in the domain, what incident analysis and genuine learning from incidents looks like, and what makes this an exciting time for exploring this domain from a safety perspective.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode