How to run a Chaos Engineering GameDay

A GameDay is a collaborative exercise designed to identify and address weaknesses in complex systems, thereby improving their resilience and reliability. Originating from Jesse Robins' experiences at Amazon.com, GameDays involve a team of experts, including developers and operations staff, who perform controlled experiments or "crash tests" on their systems. These exercises, which typically last between two to four hours, allow team members to expose gaps in their knowledge and system vulnerabilities by simulating real-world failures and incidents. The process involves preparation, execution, and review phases where test cases are designed, implemented, and analyzed, often resulting in the identification of issues and potential improvements. Regular GameDays not only enhance system stability but also foster better communication and knowledge sharing among team members, ultimately making the work more visible and manageable.