I'm working for a small company where I manage multiple software applications and need to keep track of error logs and their solutions, both for myself and for others who may take over. Right now, I organize everything into folders named after each application, containing a general guide, installation details, and a log of errors in separate files. I do the same for hardware components like printers and scanners, but the errors can be scattered in various PDF or TXT files. While my organization works for me, I want to ensure that anyone else can easily access and resolve recurring issues in the future. I'm thinking about whether to consolidate all error logs into one Excel file that lists errors for all resources or keep separate logs for each application. What's the best practice for error log management?
3 Answers
Make sure you differentiate between actual error logs and known troubleshooting steps. It can cause confusion if you just label them all as error logs. Instead, think about naming them "Known Fixes" or "Troubleshooting Guides" to clarify their purpose.
It sounds like you're looking for a documentation system rather than just error logs. You should consider having a proper documentation system where all known issues and their fixes are recorded. Something like OneNote or SharePoint could work for a small team like yours. For a more scalable solution, you might check out Hudu, which is an open-source documentation system.
I appreciate the suggestions! I have been using Office 365, so OneNote and SharePoint are definitely options I’ll explore more. Hudu looks interesting too.
A good approach is to consolidate all your error logs into one centralized location where you can easily query them, like using Greylog or a similar tool. This way, you won't have to search through multiple folders for solutions. It makes it much easier to keep track of everything.
Yeah, we transitioned to a Centralized Log Management system as well, and it really simplifies tracking and solving issues.
That’s a valid point! I’ll definitely use clearer terms in my documentation.