A Symbiotic Relationship: Interplay Between Rules and Event Chains

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Welcome back to INGENIOUS, the weekly newsletter exploring all-things-productivity. We delve into various concepts and methods related to boosting productivity each week. Remember, you don't need to be born wealthy or have a genius-level IQ to earn a seat in the C-suite. Today is the third post of the automation series, and we will delve into the world of event-based automation.

Let's Revisit The fundamentals of rule-based automation:

Last week, we explored rule-based automation, which operates by establishing predefined rules or conditions that serve as triggers to determine when specific workflows or actions will occur. While these predefined rules shape the criteria for event triggers in event-driven automation, it's important to clarify that real-time data inputs drive and set off an automated event chain.?

To understand how predefined rules or conditions act as triggers to initiate specific workflows or actions, we must realize how rule-based automation influences the criteria for event triggers in event-driven automation. First, events primarily stem from real-time data inputs rather than solely from established rules. The rules exert influence but do not entirely dictate the events that occur.?

According to Fortra, an infrastructure and data security firm, the cornerstone of event-driven automation lies in the triggers, events, or conditions that initiate automated tasks.?

These triggers or conditions, which kick off the events, are a product of a rule-based automation setup, illustrating the interconnected nature of the two approaches. In event-driven automation, events occur based on triggers or conditions detected in real-time data streams, not necessarily the set rules in rule-based automation. Follow below for further details.?

The Interconnectedness of Rule-Based and Event-Driven Automation:

Rule-based and event-driven automation work together to streamline processes and enhance user experiences. Real-world applications, such as e-commerce and urban planning, demonstrate how these mechanisms function together to produce processes more efficiently.?

A Symbiotic Relationship: Rules and Events

While interdependence refers to a codependent survival relationship or need, symbiosis is fusion in action, a mutually beneficial relationship leading to the formation of a single entity. There is a symbiotic relationship between rule-based automation and event-driven automation. Rule-based automation can establish the criteria or conditions that trigger event-driven automation. In contrast, event-driven automation feeds data back into the rule-based system, providing insights that inform the creation or adjustment of rules. One should understand automation's responsiveness to real-time events or user actions within systems to highlight how these mechanisms function together to produce more efficient processes.?

Event-Driven Automation Does What??

Event-driven automation is related to rule-driven automation; think of rule-based as the grandparent and the automated event chain that sprouts from the rules in place as the children and grandchildren, and so forth.?

According to the Red Hat Consulting blog, event-driven automation operates by first connecting and analyzing data through advanced analytics processes. This data analysis allows for identifying triggers or events that prompt automated actions. These automated actions can range from responding to an outage to adjusting various aspects of IT systems, all in a single, swift motion. By automating tasks in an "if-this-then-that" fashion, IT teams can efficiently manage the timing and execution of specific actions. Moreover, event-driven automation helps streamline the management of hybrid cloud and edge environments, reducing complexity and enabling teams to allocate their resources to other critical priorities.

For example, data on customer behavior captured through event-driven automation might indicate the need to create a new rule for targeting customers who frequently purchase specific products.

Automation's Responsiveness To Real-Time Events/User Actions:

In cybersecurity, technical teams are laser-focused on swiftly responding to real-time events. The sheer volume and variety of incidents facing these teams today are unprecedented, from cybersecurity threats to customer support tickets and website inquiries.

Companies are adopting a range of event-based automation strategies to bolster their incident response capabilities. One approach, known as "crawl, walk, and run," is designed to refine and expedite incident responses over time.

Given the constant influx of incidents, organizations must prioritize cybersecurity. By implementing event-based automation strategies, teams can better manage the rapid pace of real-time events. Regularly evaluating the Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) metric is essential for gauging the effectiveness of these strategies.

MTTR measures the average time from issue detection to full system restoration, making it a valuable tool for assessing application maintainability, equipment lifecycle costs, and DevOps team efficiency.

The Correlation Attribute:

Correlation attributes, such as a common workstation or job, can correlate two or more events. These attributes direct the rule to create a separate rule (or copy of itself) for each group of events that share common characteristics.

Real World Applications:?

Rule-based automation, such as manufacturing practices, can have significant environmental implications, underscoring the need for sustainable practices and regulations. Regulatory frameworks and pollutant exposure can impact health, highlighting the interconnectedness between rules and events in shaping health outcomes.

Application: Daily Routine?

If you purchase a car that relies on gasoline, you create the condition of needing to buy gas. The condition then sets off an automated chain of events, such as weekly trips to the gas station to fill the tank and maintenance like oil changes, spark plugs, and brake pads. If you created a different condition when purchasing an electric car, the subsequent chain of events would have been less costly in maintenance. Understanding the conditions we create in our lives regarding the chain of events that will or will not follow a choice (a rule we make), such as purchasing a car, is crucial. Adding solar panels to a home would play out similarly.?

As discussed last week, rule-based automation entails establishing predefined conditions or triggers to govern the execution of specific actions or workflows. These systems serve as the foundation for event-based automation reactions. To observe significant disparities in wealth and treatment, you must look at the housing and employment domains. For example, within housing, requirements such as a minimum credit score in apartment approval processes can contribute to disparities, potentially resulting in increased levels of homelessness and demographic inequality. Additionally, requesting an individual to disclose their race or disability status on an employment application could be viewed as part of a rule-based automation system.

Moreover, it's essential to recognize how rules-based systemic issues can exacerbate events. For instance, an uninsured sick individual who is unable to access necessary healthcare may face adverse outcomes, such as incarceration due to misbehavior stemming from untreated health conditions and an inability to work. Reviewing the current rules would be a good step in designing a better outcome system. Hence, the inevitable triggered events are less disruptive and destructive, with the ultimate goal of equitable opportunities for all individuals.?

Application: Personal Relationship?

Precedents and daily upkeep manage relationships. Luckily, relationships are the perfect example of how rules and events work together. If you possess a closed mindset, it will dictate your interactions; the events that follow might include missed opportunities for growth, strained relationships due to inflexibility, and limited perspectives that hinder your personal development. Or you might hate someone you don't know and never get to meet them. Or that you stereotype people regularly and, thus, limit your social interactions due to a closed mindset. In an engineering or research environment, a bias in design often results in systematic and statistical errors. These errors could be discriminatory thought patterns or a lack of understanding of others' perspectives and experiences in a social climate. As you can see, the rules you set greatly influence yourself and those around you. Next, you will learn how your social mindset and the following events directly impact your health.?

Application: California Spawl?

City planning embodies the principles of rule-based automation and encompasses various aspects such as zoning regulations, traffic management, building codes, and environmental policies.

Over the past five decades, California has undergone a notable transformation into a sprawling urban landscape. Particularly in the last 20 years, the state's population has surged by 11 million individuals, marking a remarkable increase of over 50 percent, with immigrants contributing to an average of 58% of California's population expansion.

Over time, California has significantly changed its preexisting rules and regulations, particularly regarding zoning for single-family residences. Many laws in this regard have been abolished and replaced by legislation promoting the construction of infill properties and high-rises on existing properties, including vacant and underused lots within established urban neighborhoods. Essentially, California has shifted away from its traditional approach of building outward. These transformative changes over the past 25 years have resulted in real-time automation events such as urban sprawl and the introduction of innovative technological concepts like the HyperLoop.

Application: E-Commerce?

Rule-based automation governs various aspects of the customer journey, while event-driven automation allows for immediate responses to events, enhancing customer experiences.

Predefined condition: A customer spends a certain amount of money.??

Trigger Event: Customers receive an automated thank you email and discount code for their next purchase.?

Predefined condition: Customer submits a form on a website.?

Trigger Event: The customer receives an automated email confirmation.

Event-driven automation in action?

Imagine you are running an online store. If done well, you'd program conditions that seamlessly trigger specific events triggered by real-time actions taken by the customer or user, such as adding an item to their cart, making a purchase, or creating an account. The predefined conditions should integrate with all other system aspects and requirements, working in conjunction for an efficient process workflow.?

In an e-commerce environment, rule-based automation can govern various aspects of the customer journey, such as sending personalized email campaigns based on customer behavior, applying discounts based on order totals, or routing customer inquiries to appropriate departments based on their nature.

Event-driven automation allows immediate responses to these events, triggering predefined actions or workflows in response and, for example, sending a follow-up email to a customer who abandoned their cart or updating inventory levels after a successful purchase.

By integrating rule-based and event-driven automation, e-commerce businesses can create a dynamic and responsive system that efficiently manages various processes while providing customers with a personalized and seamless experience.

Application: Environmental Health

From Outer Space, Earth looks a lot different today than it did even 100 years ago - An example of rule-based automation is manufacturing goods in China using coal plants and steel mills. Discharging inorganic compounds and toxic gases into the air and water due to manufacturing and transportation can lead to severe water and air contamination, seriously affecting Earth's biospheric temperatures and leading to severe weather and storm events such as hurricanes and floods.

Countless individuals experience the impact of regulations that govern areas of their lives outside their control or domain of expertise. As a result, events can devastate finances and wreck your health. If exposed to pollutants, allergens, and toxins, you may experience event-based triggers such as inflammation, respiratory problems, and allergic reactions. Similarly, rules-based exposure and systems can trigger events such as financial difficulties and relationship conflicts that trigger health events such as physiological stress, ultimately leading to increased levels of cortisol and adrenaline, which may impact health negatively.?

Exposure to pollutants, allergens, and toxins can result in inflammation, respiratory issues, and allergic reactions. Moreover, regulatory frameworks may contribute to challenges such as financial hardships and interpersonal conflicts, which can exacerbate health issues like physiological stress. This stress can elevate levels of cortisol and adrenaline, potentially harming one's overall well-being.

Consider this relatable scenario: You possess uncertainty or reservations about your feelings toward a friend or relative. This relationship dynamic can trigger emotions such as stress and depression. Unfortunately, these emotions prompt the release of hormones like cortisol, which can intensify cravings for comfort foods high in fat and sugar. Interestingly, both fat and sugar provide a temporary mood boost by triggering the release of dopamine and serotonin. We may or may not set our conditions, but regardless, these conditions influence our behavior toward exercise, stress management, and diet. Our surroundings and environment also play a significant role in shaping these behaviors. Consequently, these rules can lead to events that harm our health.

Application: Daily Life/Societal Implications:?

Rule-based automation can contribute to disparities in various domains, such as housing and employment, underscoring the importance of designing equitable systems.

Personalized Design, just for you

The above underscores the significance of event-based automation in our daily lives and why we should understand the concepts and optimize accordingly. This way, the systems in your life provide efficient, fair, and equitable solutions for you, work for you, and meet your needs. When observing the factors triggering the events unfolding in your surroundings and life, you'll realize that these events interconnect within a broader system governed by rules. By comprehending these rules and the entities managing the system, the triggers behind events may make sense. The repercussions of a flawed system can reverberate throughout generations. In essence, a poorly designed system can echo for eons.?