DevOps

Key takeaways

To break down the barriers between software development and operations teams, and release new products quickly, DevOps focuses on three core areas:

• Tools and technology (including CI/CD, automation, testing tools, etc.)
• Processes and methodology (i.e., agile, scrum, and automation processes)
• Team and internal culture alignment

Before consultant and project manager Patrick Debois proposed DevOps in 2009, developers and IT operations folks could find it hard to collaborate. While many software development teams want to build, release, and iterate on software as fast as possible, IT operations teams desire to keep everything in the tech stack nice and stable, even if that means slowing down releases. If practiced correctly, DevOps can help ease these tensions, keeping everyone productive and happy throughout the entire development process, from initial planning through final release and maintenance.

Here’s a more detailed break down:

Tools and technology

Core tools utilized as part of DevOps include continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD): CI is the workflow for quickly automating and testing code, while CD is the workflow for building, testing, and deploying code. This CI/CD pipeline is supported by the software development and operations teams, and, if done correctly, can ensure a steady stream of updates and fixes with a minimum of friction or downtime.

Version control is another vital system used in DevOps, as it allows teams to effectively manage different software versions with a minimum of confusion (or disasters, because effective version control allows for quick code recovery).

Monitoring and configuration management tools are also necessary to monitor the status of the application stack and adjust the resources available via databases and servers. Effective DevOps teams automate many of these tools, which gives them quick insight into applications and infrastructure.

Processes and methodology

For many DevOps teams, processes and methodology come down to one word: agile. For those who don’t know, agile methodology is a framework that breaks down work into short “sprints,” with an emphasis on collaboration and feedback. It is deeply integrated into many DevOps flows.

Teams and internal culture

DevOps can’t work without a healthy spirit of collaboration between teams, alignment on goals, and a culture of ownership for every part of the software development life cycle. This is why many organizations hire DevOps managers to oversee DevOps; depending on the size and complexity of the organization, a dedicated person might be needed to effectively guide teams.

For those organizations that adopt DevOps effectively, there’s the potential to release quality software faster than before, which can prove vital when it comes to responding to the market. However, implementation isn’t always easy, and it can take some time to get all teams aligned culturally.