Welcome back to INGENIOUS, Alanna Rhodes’ weekly newsletter on productivity insights. Each edition explores various ideas and strategies for improving efficiency. It’s important to note that achieving a high position in the corporate world isn’t solely dependent on wealth or intelligence. In this third installment of the automation series, we will focus on event-based automation.

Let's revisit the basics of rule-based automation. In last week's discussion, we examined how rule-based automation relies on established rules or conditions that act as triggers to initiate specific workflows or actions. While these rules form the foundation for event triggers in event-driven automation, it’s essential to understand that real-time data inputs are what actually activate an automated event chain.

To grasp how predefined rules act as triggers, we must appreciate their role in shaping the criteria for event-driven automation. Events primarily arise from real-time data rather than being dictated solely by predetermined rules. While these rules have an influence, they do not completely control the occurrences.

Fortra, a company specializing in data security, emphasizes that the essence of event-driven automation lies in the triggers, events, or conditions that initiate automated tasks.

These conditions are influenced by rule-based automation setups, showcasing the interconnectedness of the two methodologies. In event-driven automation, actions are based on triggers detected in real-time data streams, rather than merely adhering to established rules. More details follow.

The synergy between rule-based and event-driven automation enhances processes and user experiences. Practical applications in fields such as e-commerce and urban planning illustrate how these systems work together to improve efficiency.

A symbiotic relationship exists between rule-based automation and event-driven automation. While interdependence indicates a survival relationship, symbiosis reflects a mutually beneficial connection. Rule-based automation can set the criteria that trigger event-driven automation, while event-driven automation can provide feedback to refine the rule-based system, demonstrating how these methodologies jointly enhance efficiency.

What does event-driven automation accomplish? It can be seen as an extension of rule-based automation, where the latter establishes the framework and the former executes the real-time responses.

According to the Red Hat Consulting blog, event-driven automation connects and analyzes data through advanced analytics, identifying triggers that lead to automated actions. These can include responses to outages or adjustments in IT systems, all executed quickly. By employing an "if-this-then-that" approach, IT teams can manage timing and execution efficiently. Additionally, event-driven automation simplifies the handling of hybrid cloud and edge environments, allowing teams to focus on other critical tasks.

For instance, customer behavior data gathered through event-driven automation may indicate the need for a new rule targeting frequent purchasers of specific products.

In the realm of cybersecurity, technical teams must react promptly to real-time events. The unprecedented volume and diversity of incidents, ranging from cyber threats to customer inquiries, demand effective event-based automation strategies to enhance incident response.

One such strategy is the "crawl, walk, run" approach, which refines and speeds up incident responses over time. Organizations must prioritize cybersecurity in light of the constant influx of incidents. Implementing event-based automation helps teams manage the fast pace of real-time events, with regular evaluations of the Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) metric being crucial to measure the effectiveness of these strategies.

MTTR assesses the average time from issue detection to complete system restoration, serving as an essential metric for evaluating application maintainability and operational efficiency.

Correlation attributes, such as typical job functions, can link multiple events. These attributes guide the creation of separate rules for event groups sharing common traits.

In real-world scenarios, rule-based automation, such as in manufacturing, can significantly impact the environment, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices and regulations. Regulatory frameworks and exposure to pollutants can affect health, revealing the interconnectedness of rules and events in shaping health outcomes.

Consider your daily life: purchasing a gasoline-powered car establishes a need for fuel, triggering a series of automated events like regular trips to the gas station and various maintenance tasks. Conversely, opting for an electric vehicle results in fewer maintenance expenses. Understanding how our choices create conditions that lead to various outcomes is vital.

As noted previously, rule-based automation involves setting predefined conditions to manage workflows. Observing disparities in wealth and treatment requires examining housing and employment contexts. For example, minimum credit score requirements for renting can contribute to inequalities and homelessness. Similarly, requesting demographic information on job applications can reflect rule-based automation impacts.

It’s crucial to recognize how systemic issues can exacerbate events. For instance, an uninsured individual lacking access to healthcare may face dire consequences, including potential incarceration due to untreated health problems. Reviewing current rules can lead to better systems that minimize disruptive events and promote equitable opportunities.

In personal relationships, precedents and daily maintenance play a crucial role. Relationships exemplify how rules and events operate together. A closed mindset can dictate interactions, leading to missed growth opportunities and strained relationships. Alternatively, biases in design within engineering or research can cause systematic errors, limiting understanding of diverse perspectives.

The principles of rule-based automation and event-driven automation manifest in city planning, encompassing zoning regulations and environmental policies. Over the last fifty years, California has evolved into a sprawling urban area, with a population surge of over 11 million in the past two decades, primarily due to immigration.

California has revised its zoning regulations for single-family homes, promoting the construction of high-rises and infill properties in established urban neighborhoods. This shift has led to real-time automation events like urban sprawl and innovations such as the HyperLoop.

In e-commerce, rule-based automation governs customer journey aspects while event-driven automation facilitates immediate responses to events, enhancing customer experiences. For example, spending a certain amount can trigger an automated thank-you email, while submitting a form results in an email confirmation.

Imagine running an online store where well-implemented conditions trigger actions based on customer interactions, such as adding items to a cart or making a purchase. Rule-based automation can personalize email campaigns and manage customer inquiries, while event-driven automation responds to real-time events, ensuring a seamless customer experience.

From a broader perspective, rule-based automation can contribute to systemic disparities in housing and employment, emphasizing the necessity of designing equitable systems.

The significance of event-based automation in our lives cannot be overstated. Understanding these concepts allows us to optimize our systems for fairness and efficiency. By recognizing how triggers shape our experiences, we can navigate the interconnectedness of rules and events that govern our lives. A flawed system can have lasting effects, underscoring the importance of thoughtful design to avoid negative repercussions for future generations.