Closely tied to the final performance baseline is documenting your work and its subsequent success. The focus now turns to documenting what just happened to gain a deeper understanding, informing and training others, and to prevent a similar situation from recurring.

When I worked for Oracle Consulting, I required my team to complete an on-site client report, which we called our engagement summary, and distribute it to the entire group. While traveling, we commonly read each other's engagement summaries. This dramatically improved the technical competence of our group. It also created a deep sense of community and camaraderie. When the group is geographically dispersed, as was the case with my team, this is especially valuable to the members.

Oracle performance firefighting is a unique time in your life. Most people never get a chance to experience the highs and lows of firefighting. How many times in your career will you be able to celebrate a dramatic and company-critical performance firefighting success? Probably not that many. So when you have survived a firefight, take some time out and celebrate.