In incident management, what is the purpose of categorization?

Categorization in incident management serves the essential purpose of classifying incidents in a way that allows for efficient handling and prioritization. When incidents are categorized, they can be assessed based on their impact, urgency, and nature, which helps responders decide on the appropriate allocation of resources and response strategies. This systematic approach allows organizations to prioritize incidents that may have severe consequences or those that require immediate attention, ensuring that critical issues are addressed swiftly while less significant incidents are managed in a timely manner.

By effectively categorizing incidents, organizations can streamline their processes, reduce response times, and improve overall incident resolution outcomes. This structured method not only enhances operational efficiency but also enables a more effective allocation of teams and resources as they respond to various types of incidents based on their classification. The primary intent is not elimination of incidents or establishing budgets, but rather ensuring that responses are both targeted and appropriate based on the nature of each incident.