ON-CALL MANAGEMENT
Follow-the-Sun Rotation
A global on-call scheduling model where shifts are assigned to teams in active time zones to avoid night shifts.
Follow-the-Sun
A global on-call scheduling model where shifts are assigned to teams in active time zones to avoid night shifts.
No More Night Shifts
By having teams in, for example, London, New York, and Sydney, you can ensure someone is always working during the day.
- London: Handles 09:00 - 17:00 UTC.
- New York: Handles 17:00 - 01:00 UTC.
- Sydney: Handles 01:00 - 09:00 UTC.
ExGlobal Platform Implementation
"Series C company with teams in SF, London, and Singapore. Implemented follow-the-sun model. Required 3 engineers per shift (9 total). Result: 0% night shifts, 40% improvement in responder satisfaction, faster resolution due to awake responders."
Impact
Eliminated night shift work entirely, 24-hour coverage
Resolution
Invested in overlap time for cross-region knowledge sharing
Why Follow-the-Sun Matters
Eliminates the "3 AM wake-up call," drastically reducing burnout.
Responders are awake, alert, and working during their normal day.
Common Pitfalls
Insufficient overlap between shifts
Schedule overlap time for handoffs and knowledge transfer. Without overlap, follow-the-sun creates silos and dropped incidents.
Assuming all time zones are equal
Some regions have harder hiring, different holidays, different costs. Factor these in when planning follow-the-sun coverage.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
What team size is needed for follow-the-sun on-call?
Minimum 3 teams in different time zones (8-hour separation). Each team needs 3-5 engineers to sustain rotation. Total: 9-15 engineers minimum.
Does follow-the-sun work for small teams?
Not really. Follow-the-sun requires significant team size (15+ engineers). Small teams are better off with fair rotations and good compensation.
How do you handle knowledge transfer in follow-the-sun?
Schedule 1-2 hours of overlap between shifts. Use comprehensive documentation, runbooks, and regular cross-region training. Shared Slack channels for context.