How we designed empathetic alert sounds for on-call engineers

Datadog has reimagined the on-call alert sound design in its mobile app, focusing on reducing alert fatigue and stress for engineers by employing empathetic and research-driven methods. Collaborating with audio specialists, the company developed a diverse library of notification sounds tailored to different user personas, such as those in noisy environments or shared spaces, individuals needing gentle wake-up calls, and those who appreciate humor in alerts. These sounds are designed to be effective without being harsh, prioritize the well-being of engineers, and support smoother cognitive transitions upon awakening. By emphasizing thoughtful sound design and strong alert management, Datadog aims to mitigate the human costs associated with on-call duties while maintaining the urgency necessary for effective problem resolution.