How to Set Up On-Call Rotations in Slack

Managing on-call rotations is essential for engineering teams that need to respond to incidents and maintain system reliability. In this guide, we'll walk you through setting up effective on-call rotations using OnCallManager in Slack.

Why Use OnCallManager for On-Call Rotations?

Traditional on-call management tools often require switching between multiple applications. OnCallManager brings everything directly into Slack, where your team already communicates. This means:

• No context switching - Manage rotations where you already work
• Instant visibility - Team members can quickly see who's on-call
• Automatic notifications - Get reminded about upcoming shifts
• Easy handoffs - Smooth transitions between on-call engineers

Getting Started

Step 1: Install OnCallManager

First, add OnCallManager to your Slack workspace:

1. Click the "Add to Slack" button on our website
2. Review the permissions and authorize the app
3. Choose which channels you'd like to use for notifications

Step 2: Create Your First Rotation

Once installed, you can create a rotation from the app's home page:

1. Open the OnCallManager app in Slack
2. Click "New Schedule" to start creating a rotation
3. Configure your rotation settings:
   • Name: Give your rotation a descriptive name (e.g., "Backend On-Call")
   • Members: Add the team members who will participate
   • Rotation period: Set how often the rotation shifts (daily, weekly, etc.)
   • Start time: When each shift begins

Step 3: Configure Notifications

Set up notifications to keep everyone informed:

• Shift change notifications: Alert the channel when on-call changes
• Reminder notifications: Notify the upcoming on-call person before their shift
• Handoff summaries: Share important context during transitions

Best Practices for On-Call Rotations

Keep Rotations Fair

Distribute on-call duties evenly among team members. OnCallManager automatically tracks who has been on-call to ensure fair distribution.

Document Runbooks

Make sure your team has clear runbooks for common issues. When someone is paged, they should know exactly what steps to take.

Set Up Escalation Paths

Configure backup contacts and escalation procedures for when the primary on-call person is unavailable.

Regular Reviews

Review your on-call rotation regularly:

• Are shifts distributed fairly?
• Is the rotation period appropriate?
• Are there too many after-hours incidents?

Handling Shift Overrides

Sometimes team members need to swap shifts due to vacations, conflicts, or emergencies. OnCallManager makes this easy:

1. Open the rotation in OnCallManager
2. Use the overflow menu to select "Override on-call"
3. Choose which shifts to override
4. Select the replacement team member
5. Click "Apply" to confirm

The affected team members will be notified automatically.

Integrating with Google Calendar

Keep track of your on-call schedule in your personal calendar:

1. Click "Connect Calendar" on the app home page
2. Authorize access to your Google Calendar
3. Subscribe to the rotations you want to track

Your on-call shifts will automatically appear in your calendar, helping you plan around your on-call duties.

Conclusion

Effective on-call management is crucial for maintaining reliable systems and ensuring your team doesn't burn out. With OnCallManager, you can streamline your on-call rotations directly in Slack, making it easier for everyone to know who's responsible and when.

Ready to get started? Add OnCallManager to your Slack workspace today!