How can you determine the impact of a network issue on your users?

3 Analyze the trends

The third step is to analyze the trends of the network issue, that is, how it changes over time, frequency, or duration. You can use different tools and techniques to do this, such as graphs, charts, dashboards, reports, or analytics. You should also compare the current network issue with the historical or baseline data, as well as with the expected or normal behavior of the network.

4 Estimate the resolution

The fourth step is to estimate the resolution of the network issue, that is, how long it will take to fix it, restore it, or mitigate it. You can use different methods and factors to do this, such as troubleshooting steps, best practices, solutions, workarounds, or resources. You should also account for the complexity, risk, or dependency of the network issue, as well as the availability or expertise of the network staff.

5 Communicate the impact

The final step is to communicate the impact of the network issue to your users and other stakeholders, such as managers, clients, or vendors. You can use different channels and formats to do this, such as emails, calls, messages, notifications, or updates. You should also use clear, concise, and accurate language to convey the scope, severity, trends, and resolution of the network issue, as well as the actions taken, the status, and the expectations.

6 Improve the process

As a bonus step, you can also use the impact assessment of the network issue as an opportunity to improve your network troubleshooting and debugging process. You can do this by collecting feedback, identifying gaps, implementing changes, documenting lessons, or sharing best practices. You can also use the impact assessment as a way to measure your network performance, quality, or reliability over time.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?