DevOps Incident Postmortem Generator
Generate structured postmortems with root cause analysis (5 Whys) and action items. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Sev1 Outage
Problem: 60 mins down, Customer reported, Config change
Solution: Actions: 1. Add Config Validation. 2. Create Alert. 3. Public Apology.
Result: High Priority Plan
Example 2: Sev3 Latency
Problem: Slow queries, Internal alert, Capacity issue
Solution: Actions: 1. Optimize Index. 2. Tune Auto-scaling.
Result: Maintenance Plan
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Postmortem?
A written record of an incident: what happened, why it happened, and how to prevent it from happening again. Also called an RCA (Root Cause Analysis).
Who should write the postmortem?
The person who knew the most about the incident (often the one who fixed it), but reviewed by the whole team.
Do I need a postmortem for Sev3?
Usually no. A lightweight log entry is enough. Save the deep analysis for incidents that actually hurt the business.
How do I interpret the result?
Results are displayed with a label and unit to help you understand the output. Many calculators include a short explanation or classification below the result (for example, a BMI category or risk level). Refer to the worked examples section on this page for real-world context.
Why might my result differ from another tool or reference?
Differences typically arise from rounding conventions, the specific version of a formula (for example, simple vs compound interest), or unit inconsistencies between inputs. Check that both tools are using the same formula variant and the same units. The References section links to the authoritative source behind the formula used here.
How do I get the most accurate result?
Enter values as precisely as possible using the correct units for each field. Check that you have selected the right unit (e.g. kilograms vs pounds, meters vs feet) before calculating. Rounding inputs early can reduce output precision.