There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to implementing SRE. The SRE Operating Model describes how SRE teams are structured and how they interact with product development teams.
Common SRE Structures
- Embedded SRE: SREs are members of product development teams, providing deep expertise and focused reliability work for specific services.
- Centralized / SRE-as-a-Service: A dedicated SRE team that provides tools, guidance, and support to multiple product teams across the organization.
- Platform Engineering Team: SREs focus on building the Internal Developer Platform that empowers product teams to manage their own reliability.
- Advisory / Consulting SRE: A small group of experts who provide training and architectural reviews but don't take on-call responsibilities.
Choosing the Right Model
The best model depends on your organization's size, maturity, and technical complexity. For example, a startup might start with an embedded model, while a large enterprise might benefit more from a centralized platform approach to ensure consistency.
Key Principles for Success
Regardless of the structure, successful SRE operating models share common traits: shared responsibility for reliability, a focus on reducing toil, and data-driven decision making using SLOs.
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We help organizations design and implement effective SRE structures through our SRE Consulting. Learn more about the difference between SRE and Platform Engineering.
MeloMar IT helps organisations improve reliability through practical SRE and platform engineering guidance.