Operating Human Systems: Mean Time To Relationship v. Mean Time Between Fallout

DevOps trends are clear on measuring systems MTTR rather than MTBF. I argue that worrying about time between failures actually causes more harm than worrying about recovery. But do we think of our human systems the same way as our digital? I’ll apply lessons learned in SysOps to HumanOps.

DevOps trends are clear on measuring systems Mean Time To Recovery rather than Mean Time Between Failures. I argue that worrying about time between failures actually causes more harm than worrying about recovery. But do we think of our human systems the same way as our digital? I’ll apply lessons learned in SysOps to HumanOps.

I’ll talk about how our complex social systems act like complex computer systems and how focusing on MTTR rather than MTBF is a good thing between people, not just machines. I’ll cover the environmental requirements for focusing on MTTR and discuss potential conflict resolution steps for a jumping off point in your organization or community.

I love the ignite format for starting conversations and especially leading into the Open Space discussions. And the topics of managing those communities really are best talked about in group. So this 5 minute talk will setup the premise, dig briefly through psychological safety, just culture, opt-in/out processes and non-violent communication as a means of conflict resolution.

I’ve had the privilege of being involved both in tech and in non-tech but very close, open and safe groups processing a lot of difficult situations. The intersection of both is complex systems. The communities in the latter necessarily have to be resilient and like resilient systems, deal with problems quickly and directly rather than trying to prevent them. The key is to get back to operating fully as quickly as possible not just push off the problem creating future weakness. The metaphor provides an excellent relational and jumping off point for talking about how to deal with difficult situations amongst other technologists.

My experience talking can be found listed on my speaking page. Watch the DevOpsDays DC Video for specifically ignite experience.