SQL Server Performance Tuning Checklist

This checklist, written by MSSQLTips author Eric Blinn, will serve as a starting point to help determine what steps might make sense as part of a SQL Server performance improvement effort. It provides information for each checklist item and links to other articles for more details when applicable.

There are 2 main sections. The first section covers actions that might make sense when the entire SQL Server instance is running slow. The second section focuses on areas where specific queries or procedures are running slowly. A performance tuning effort often includes both parts.

Some of the items included in the checklist are:

• CPU
• Memory
• Disks
• Indexing
• Maintenance
• Query Plans
• Query Optimization

MSSQLTips Author Profile - Eric Blinn

Eric Blinn is the Sr. Data Architect for Squire Patton Boggs. He is also a SQL author and PASS Local Group leader.