Template IT Operations Manual

Use this comprehensive template to cross-check if your current Operations Handbooks are complete !

Use this comprehensive template to cross-check if your CMDB covers all types of information!

because... you outsourced development and you expect the operations and system handbook as part of the delivery

Use this template in the contract specifications to clearly express what you expect thus to avoid “misunderstanding” between vendor and you about the content of the operations handbook. Using this template for this purpose is much cheaper than solving a single dispute with the vendor.

because...it's much work to write the handbook and your systems are running without it

Yes, it is true that it is really much work to write it. But this is not a valid excuse not to create it!

because ...... the system runs even without Operations Manual. One member of your staff has that in his head.

• But the second person (who shares on-call duty with the main person) might know the most important details how to re-start after a crash but might not be aware of all e.g. monthly tasks. And latest at the first hand-over to a new main responsible person, the new person will have to write down everything the former person tells. If the person just knowing it leaves unexpected then all the information must be re-engineered - definitely much more work than the initial documentation. Huge money was spent in the area of “Knowledge Management” - not writing a Systems and Operations Handbook means not even documenting required knowledge, making “Knowledge Management” impossible.

  A comprehensive System- and Operations Handbook is an important part of the Operations / Production Managers “Job Insurance”. Without such a documentation he can in case of an audit not proof that all tasks are assigned and checked for execution.