### 2023-05-05 SLOs (Service Level Objectives) are specific, measurable goals that define the acceptable level of performance or reliability for a software service. They are important to define for every deployable software for several reasons: 1. Accountability: SLOs provide a way to measure the success of software teams. By defining specific, measurable goals for performance and reliability, teams can track their progress and hold themselves accountable for meeting those goals. This is important because it ensures that teams are focused on delivering high-quality software that meets the needs of customers. Example: if a team sets an SLO for response time of 200 milliseconds and consistently exceeds that target, it indicates that there may be issues with the software's performance that need to be addressed. By monitoring metrics and comparing them to the defined targets, teams can identify areas where improvements can be made. 2. Customer satisfaction: SLOs help ensure that software is meeting the needs of customers. By setting targets for response time, uptime, and other metrics, teams can ensure that the software is performing as expected and meeting the needs of customers. This is important because it helps to build trust and confidence in the software, which in turn can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. Example: if a customer expects a certain level of uptime from a software service and that level is not met, it can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction. By setting an SLO for uptime and monitoring it closely, teams can ensure that the software is meeting customer expectations and avoiding these kinds of issues. 3. Continuous improvement: SLOs provide a basis for continuous improvement. By monitoring metrics and comparing them to the defined targets, teams can identify areas where improvements can be made and work to improve the performance and reliability of the software. This is important because it ensures that the software continues to meet the evolving needs of customers and the business. Example: if a team notices that the response time of a software service is consistently slower than the defined SLO, they can investigate the root cause of the issue and work to improve it. This can lead to faster and more reliable software, which in turn can lead to increased customer satisfaction and business success. 4. Risk management: SLOs help teams manage risk by identifying potential issues before they become critical. By monitoring metrics and identifying when performance or reliability is not meeting the defined targets, teams can take action to address the issue before it affects customers. This is important because it helps to prevent major incidents that can lead to downtime, lost revenue, and other negative consequences. Example: if a team notices that the error rate of a software service is increasing and approaching the defined SLO, they can investigate the cause of the errors and take action to prevent them from escalating. This can help to avoid major incidents that could impact customers and the business. Overall, defining SLOs is an important practice for any deployable software. It provides a framework for measuring and improving the quality of software, while also helping to ensure that it meets the needs of customers and the business. **If you need any help or want to get in contact with me, Click [[🌱 The Syntax Garden]] where I have my contact details.**