In this article, we’ll look at the best practices for onboarding your new Wide Area Network Administrator. We’ll look at the employee onboarding process/steps you can add to your own reusable Wide Area Network Administrator checklist.
Need help with onboarding new IT team members? See the templates and resources we recommend for successful onboarding experiences.
Contents
Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Wide Area Network Administrator starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your IT onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Wide Area Network Administrator, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Wide Area Network Administrator onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.
1. Network Infrastructure Familiarization: The new Wide Area Network (WAN) Administrator should be provided with an overview of the company’s network infrastructure, including the physical layout, equipment, and connectivity. This task is typically performed by the Network Operations team or a senior Network Administrator.
2. Access and Permissions Setup: The new WAN Administrator needs to be granted appropriate access and permissions to the network devices, management tools, and systems they will be responsible for. This task is usually performed by the IT Security team or the Network Operations team.
3. Documentation Review: The new WAN Administrator should be given access to relevant network documentation, such as network diagrams, configuration files, and standard operating procedures. This will help them understand the existing network setup and troubleshoot issues effectively. The task of providing access to documentation is typically performed by the Network Operations team or a designated mentor.
4. Network Monitoring and Management Tools Training: The new WAN Administrator should receive training on the network monitoring and management tools used by the company. This includes understanding how to monitor network performance, troubleshoot issues, and configure devices. The Network Operations team or a senior Network Administrator usually provides this training.
5. Incident Response and Escalation Procedures: The new WAN Administrator should be familiarized with the company’s incident response and escalation procedures. This includes understanding how to report and respond to network incidents, as well as when and how to escalate issues to higher-level support teams. The Network Operations team or a designated mentor typically provides this information.
6. Change Management Process: The new WAN Administrator should be educated on the company’s change management process, which outlines how network changes are planned, tested, and implemented. This includes understanding the approval process, change documentation requirements, and the use of change management tools. The Network Operations team or a designated mentor is responsible for providing this information.
7. Vendor and Service Provider Coordination: The new WAN Administrator should be introduced to key vendors and service providers that the company works with for network-related services, such as internet service providers or equipment vendors. This includes understanding how to engage with them for support, troubleshooting, and procurement. The Network Operations team or a designated mentor typically facilitates these introductions.
8. Network Security Best Practices: The new WAN Administrator should receive training on network security best practices, including understanding common threats, implementing security controls, and following company policies and procedures. This task is usually performed by the IT Security team or a designated mentor.
9. Network Performance Optimization: The new WAN Administrator should be provided with training on network performance optimization techniques, such as traffic shaping, Quality of Service (QoS) configuration, and bandwidth management. This helps them ensure optimal network performance and user experience. The Network Operations team or a senior Network Administrator typically provides this training.
10. Incident Simulation and Troubleshooting Exercises: The new WAN Administrator should participate in incident simulation and troubleshooting exercises to gain hands-on experience in identifying and resolving network issues. This helps them build confidence and improve their troubleshooting skills. The Network Operations team or a designated mentor usually organizes these exercises.
11. Team Collaboration and Communication Tools Training: The new WAN Administrator should receive training on the team collaboration and communication tools used by the company, such as project management software, instant messaging platforms, and ticketing systems. This ensures effective communication and collaboration with team members. The IT department or a designated mentor typically provides this training.
12. Network Documentation Updates: The new WAN Administrator should be responsible for updating network documentation as they gain familiarity with the network infrastructure and make changes. This includes updating network diagrams, configuration files, and standard operating procedures. The Network Operations team or a designated mentor should review and approve these updates.
13. Continuous Learning and Professional Development: The new WAN Administrator should be encouraged to engage in continuous learning and professional development activities, such as attending industry conferences, participating in webinars, or pursuing relevant certifications. This helps them stay updated with the latest technologies and best practices. The company’s IT department or a designated mentor should provide guidance and support in this regard
From reading through the items in the example Wide Area Network Administrator checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Wide Area Network Administrator up to speed and working well in your IT team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.
