In what way should an incident timeline in a postmortem report be constructed?

An effective incident timeline in a postmortem report should adhere to the factual recounting of events and include the key decisions made throughout the incident's lifecycle. This approach provides a clear and objective understanding of what transpired, allowing for accurate assessments of both the incident and the responders' performance. By focusing on the facts, the timeline serves as a reliable record that can be referenced for future incidents, helping teams to learn from both successes and challenges.

Including key decisions in the timeline is critical as it highlights not only the actions taken but also the rationale behind those actions. This context can provide insights into decision-making processes and the factors that influenced the response. It facilitates discussion about what went well, what could be improved, and the overall effectiveness of the incident response strategy.

In contrast, concentrating solely on positive outcomes may overlook critical aspects of the incident that need analysis for improvement. Focusing only on the responders' actions ignores the broader context and could lead to a skewed understanding of the incident. Lastly, while brevity is important, it's essential that the timeline contains enough detail to be meaningful, ensuring that all significant events and decisions are captured for comprehensive evaluation.