How can you explain server administration issues to non-technical stakeholders?

Read the room, people in meetings are the same with their email... they're only getting roughly 30% of what you say, except the outliers of course... We don't need to get into the weeds on the problem or the supposed solution. Don't make it more complex than necessary. Keep it simple for your and they're sake. If need be, absolutely have further discussions outside the initial notification of said problem/current activity/resolution.

Imagine a server like a powerful computer that runs 24/7 and serves multiple users. Just like any computer, servers also require regular maintenance and troubleshooting to ensure they are running smoothly and securely. However, sometimes these servers can encounter technical issues that need attention. For example, imagine a server as a house that stores important data. Sometimes, the server might experience problems such as slow performance, and data loss. it's similar to having a leaky roof. These issues can affect the overall functionality. To address these issues, administrators perform software updates, optimize settings, and implement security measures. These actions are similar to fixing a leaking roof.

Most of the time team members are technical; they understand and support. When non technical, they trust us and it is never difficult to explain the situation in simple language. One can use some analogy to explain further.

All About Computer | VM'S (redhat,hyper-v,vmware ETC.)magine a server like a powerful computer that runs 24/7 and serves multiple users. Just like any computer, servers also require regular maintenance and troubleshooting to ensure they are running smoothly and securely

Analogies of the issue in a reference point the entire room would understand. We need more licenses for a piece of software. More people are on the bus or plane and we need to accommodate them but we don't have enough seats.

Keep it simple. Don't over think it, don't over analyze. Do understand yourself the issue so you can be effective working with the team to resolve the issue(s). We need to remember that often times, what we believe the problem to be, may in fact be a moving target. So don't put too much into it while we are chasing down the problem and attempting to work through a solution at the same time. That is what the lessons learned after the fact are for right? I think they call those root cause analysis and further get into other aspects and ways of looking at what caused the problem and how to prevent it from occurring again.

Metaphors and analogies are your friend when you need to explain something technical to non-technical stakeholders. When I learned this in my first year as a helpdesk tech, I became a top performer with my company. Client feedback became overwhelming positive and my bosses loved it. When they asked me how I had made the transformation, I asked them "Do you know how to merge in traffic?" Of course, they said "yes" immediately. They all looked at me questioningly so I responded to their implied question, "I started to relate every call I got to something the client can relate to. I made every client feel like they understood by making it simple." Make sure every client feels that they understand the issue and watch the results pour in.

There are a lot of variables we aren't accounting for here, what sort of catastrophe is it you would like the perspective from? Chances are we are knee deep in trying to 1/2 figure out what the problem is and 1/2 figure out what the solution is... Keep it simple though, no need to go into the weeds with details that the majority do not need to be concerned with. Give them enough to understand overall, what do we anticipate the solution is, at this time.

IT Systems are like an automobile they keep running until something goes wrong. Proper maintenance will keep them at optimal performance and minimize the impact of the inevitable problems.