What best defines a runbook in SAD operations?

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A runbook is a step-by-step procedure for handling common tasks and incidents, designed to ensure consistency and speed in handling operations. It codifies the exact actions to take from detection through resolution, including checks to perform, escalation paths, and rollback steps if needed. This makes responses repeatable, so different operators follow the same proven process, reducing errors and saving time during urgent situations. For example, a runbook for a service outage might specify how to verify the alert, collect logs, determine impact, apply the prescribed fix, validate that the service is back up, and document what happened. Runbooks also support onboarding and automation, since well-documented steps can be taught quickly and sometimes automated to accelerate response. They aren’t logs of past changes, project plans for new features, or weekly status report templates—those serve different purposes like tracking patches, planning work, or communicating status.