The Curse of Automation

Automation of operations is always the plan, so what goes wrong?  The biggest issue I see with automation in operations is finding that delicate line between where the software ends and  human involvement begins.  Determining where to place automation can be easily determined by asking three simple questions:

1. Can you train a monkey to do it (monkeys are infinitely smarter than computers, just a lot slower latency – IQ=12 vs 0)
2. Is the issue so ordinary that it happens at least once daily?
3. How long does it take to perform this task manually?

The first question is obviously a complexity issue; automation for complex things can get hairy extremely quickly.   The second question addresses its frequency: if it happens so seldom, then why automate it?   The third question addresses the value to the organization: if it saves a second of manual time does automating it really make sense?   I use these questions as barometers to help customers determine if the cost/value curve of the issue makes it a candidate for automation.

Below are some of my other tips/tricks when it comes to automation.   Others are available, but these are my top choices.

• Ignore the marketing hype, meaningful root-cause analysis out-of-the-box is an oxymoron for most environments.  Focus on the complexity/frequency of issues.  Start there first!
• Start small, build, test, verify, grow, rinse, repeat – don’t boil the ocean – be realistic in your automation goals and review them often.
• Automation is impossible without process management; if you are not doing process management, then do not attempt automation. Check out Process Maker, a free process management tool that I like.
• Consolidation makes automation possible – equal playing ground makes the impossible possible.
• Start with enrichment by providing all the information to the operator, move to a knowledge base, create processes, then start auto-remediation.

I plan on a writing a future white paper on this subject.  Let me know what you think!

For further information, check out our white paper section of out almost old website.  (New site coming soon)

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