Operating models & runbooks
Make operational knowledge available before it is urgently needed.
When only a few people know how to diagnose incidents, make changes or restore service, every handover becomes difficult. We document essential operating tasks with clear responsibilities, practical workflows and tested instructions. An operating model and its runbooks connect architecture knowledge with the actions your team needs each day.
Your options
Services that move your project forward
Understand systems and operating tasks
We assess software, infrastructure, dependencies and existing documentation. Recurring tasks and critical scenarios determine which procedures to develop first.
The documentation focuses on the tasks that are actually needed.
Clarify responsibility and interfaces
Tasks, decision-making powers, and handovers between teams are described. Contacts and escalation are organized in such a way that the next responsibility remains recognizable.
Operations are less dependent on personal knowledge.
Write practical runbooks
Each procedure specifies prerequisites, required permissions, steps, expected results and conditions for stopping. References to configurations are kept traceable and maintainable.
Another suitable person can follow the process in a targeted manner.
Prepare for diagnosis and recovery
We bring together common incidents, useful signals and appropriate diagnostic steps. Recovery procedures consider dependencies, data and required approvals.
Teams can act in a more structured way in important situations.
Automate suitable repeatable steps
Repeatable steps are checked for suitable automation. Experience with Git, Helm, Argo CD and infrastructure as code helps to connect documentation and technical implementation.
Automated and manual tasks fit into a common workflow.
Check instructions and keep them up to date
A suitable practical test shows where prerequisites are missing or steps are unclear. Those responsible, reasons for changes and review dates keep the documents usable.
The result remains a tool for ongoing IT operations.
Where to start
Operating models & runbooks Use cases
Three example situations show how we can help.
A new platform is to be handed over to IT operations
We supplement architectural documents with specific tasks, responsibilities and verified handovers.
Important knowledge lies with a few employees
Together, we make recurring processes comprehensible and check them with other suitable team members.
A malfunction has shown gaps in the documentation
Findings from the event are translated into understandable diagnostic and recovery procedures.
From requirements to results
A clear process with agreed milestones
Select tasks and risks
We determine important operating procedures and review existing documents.
Develop the operating model and instructions
Responsibility, prerequisites, steps and test criteria are documented in an understandable way.
Test and improve the procedures
Suitable team members follow selected procedures in an agreed environment.
Establish document ownership and handover
We agree where documents are stored, who maintains them, how changes are recorded and when reviews take place.
Your benefit
What you receive
- An operating model covering tasks, responsibilities and technical dependencies.
- Action-oriented runbooks for the agreed processes.
- Documented results from practical tests and a list of remaining improvements.
- A maintainable documentation and review process with knowledge transfer.
Ways to work with us
Choose a starting point that fits your needs. We agree the scope and required effort in a tailored proposal.
Operational documentation review
For an overview: existing documents, important processes and prioritized gaps.
Request a quote: Operational documentation reviewCreate an operating model and runbooks
For handover: agreed responsibilities, practical instructions and verification.
Request a quote: Create an operating model and runbooksMaintain operational knowledge and procedures
For ongoing operations: agreed reviews, updates and additional tested procedures.
Request a quote: Maintain operational knowledge and proceduresSYNEDAT PLATFORM
Platform experience for your project
We use these selected tools in SYNEDAT PLATFORM or its delivery processes. We adapt suitable practices to your project and align their integration with your existing systems.
Deployment and platform automation
Kubernetes · Azure Kubernetes Service · Helm · Argo CD · Terraform
Versioned configuration and declarative deployment connect infrastructure and applications. GitOps makes proposed changes reviewable and the desired state explicit. Operational transitions and recovery procedures are still planned for the specific application.
Repeatable changes and clearer responsibility boundaries.
Observability and operations
Prometheus · Grafana · Alloy · Loki · Tempo
Metrics, logs and traces provide different views of applications and platforms. We organize data sources, dashboards and alert paths around specific operating questions. Retention, sensitive data and costs are considered when planning data collection.
Better incident diagnosis and informed operating decisions.
Questions before you get started
How does an operating model differ from a runbook?
The operating model describes the overall framework: systems, tasks, responsibilities and collaboration. A runbook guides a specific procedure with prerequisites, steps and result checks. The two work together.
Which processes should be documented first?
Recurring tasks, critical diagnostic workflows and important recovery procedures often provide a useful starting point. We consider business impact, frequency and existing knowledge gaps.
Can existing documents continue to be used?
Yes. We assess quality, currency and accessibility, then add missing operational steps. Existing repositories and tools can remain where they support appropriate maintenance and access control.
Does a runbook have to be fully automated?
No. A well-described manual procedure can be useful. Automation is suitable for repeatable steps with clear prerequisites. Approvals, evaluations and special cases often still require a responsible person.
How do you verify that a runbook works?
A suitable team member follows selected steps in an agreed environment. We document prerequisites, clarity and results. Any changes to production systems and their potential effects are explicitly agreed before testing.
Do passwords belong in the documentation?
Secrets should be managed in suitable, protected systems. The instructions describe the required permissions and the permitted access path. This way, it remains usable without unnecessarily disseminating sensitive access data.
Who keeps the documents up to date after the project?
Each relevant document receives a responsible owner. Changes to systems and workflows trigger an appropriate review. Scheduled reviews complement those updates.
Does the documentation also help with a change of service provider?
Clear system overviews, responsibilities and tested procedures make handover easier. Access, data export, knowledge transfer and contractual obligations also need to be defined. The agreed handover scope is documented explicitly.
Discuss your next step
Which operating procedure should work without relying on key individuals?
Tell us the system and its most important tasks. We will define a suitable scope for an operating model, runbooks and practical tests.
Operating models & runbooks
Your next step
Tell us what you need. We will route your enquiry to the right team and discuss the next steps with you.
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