In troubleshooting an email issue, which ordered steps should the administrator take first?

The appropriate sequence of steps when troubleshooting an email issue begins with collecting information, determining the scope of the problem, and then documenting findings. This structured approach is crucial because it allows the administrator to gather all relevant data about the issue at hand, which is necessary to understand its impact fully.

First, collecting information should involve investigating error messages, user reports, and server logs to identify any anomalies. Next, determining the scope helps assess how widespread the issue is—whether it's affecting a single user, a specific group, or an entire system. This clarity is essential for prioritizing the response and informing any subsequent actions.

Following these initial steps, documenting findings becomes critical for maintaining a record of what has transpired, which will be useful for future reference and in evaluating the effectiveness of the solutions applied.

Rebooting the server is often a last resort or part of a solution rather than a starting action. Immediate reboots could overlook critical data that's necessary for diagnosing the problem. Thus, the best strategy involves first gathering comprehensive information and assessing the situation before taking any corrective measures.