Agile development and DevOps are buzzwords that have become a part of our everyday technology lexicon. So, what exactly are these methodologies and why are they garnering so much attention?
Agile methodology focuses on iterative approach to software development. This encourages a culture of collaboration between cross-functional teams to iterate and develop products and solutions. Thus enables faster, more valuable, and high-quality software delivery, coupled with an ability to respond to change quicker. Agile approach involves planning, testing, and integrating as a continuous process applied to both the project and the software lifecycle.
DevOps is an extension of Agile methodologies that further enhances software development through all stages from build to delivery, authorizing all cross-functional teams to have full ownership of the software lifecycle. DevOps encourages an organization-wide change in mindset to combine software and IT operations through communication, collaboration, integration, and automation between them.
Why DevOps?
Today, delivering software quickly, reliably and safely is the key for organization growth.
Enterprises are trying to answer “how do we increase the rate of innovation and delivery?”
This is exactly where DevOps comes into play. It helps in streamlining internal business processes and enables enterprises to deliver products of superior quality that rate high among their customer base.
In the digital era, customers are always tuned in to their devices and demand perfect user experiences. To enable this, enterprises need to adopt continuous and reliable delivery models across all digital touchpoints, whether its web, mobile, wearables, or IoT devices. DevOps brings together two key areas – development and operations – that empower enterprises to strategize and deliver customer-centric applications consistently.
What are the benefits of adopting enterprise-wide DevOps practices?
DevOps practices help enterprises move ahead in the competitive market by enhancing efficiency and delivering quality products. So what are the advantages?
- Faster deployment
- Enhanced product quality
- Automation of mundane tasks
- Agility boost
- Promotes innovation
- Continuous delivery
- More transparency
- Heightened productivity
- Reduction in expenditures
How do we transform?
DevOps transformation is not a passive phenomenon. It requires the key aspects: people, processes, and technology to work in unison. So how do enterprises embark on successful DevOps transformations?
- Start by evaluating the need for this transformation. Enterprises must understand why they want to make the shift. The DevOps strategy must align with the business goals of the enterprise to yield positive results.
- Understand that it requires an enterprise-wide cultural shift. Educate the teams on why the enterprise is adopting a new model and what its benefits are. Ultimately, DevOps is all about team collaboration and unity.
- Do comparative studies. To understand how successful this strategy is, enterprises must measure the steps in the current development life cycle. After DevOps implementation, a comparative analysis of metrics will help in effective analysis of the journey.
- Collaboration is key. Successful DevOps transformation is backed by effective communication and collaboration between teams. Encourage ideation, cooperation, and a healthy work environment where all teams are given equal opportunities and importance.
- Plan the budget. The transition will require new technologies and integrations, and expenses that the enterprise will have to bear. So, strategize and plan budgets accordingly, to avoid wastage.
- Establish continuous integration and delivery. Another key aspect in successful implementation is ensuring Agile methodologies. Small, quick, and regular development and delivery will ensure faster go-to-market, and quicker flaw detection and correction.
- Start small and don’t automate all at once. Small transformations and incremental change is an ideal way to start this journey. Review the overall progress by comparing KPIs and identify continuous improvements for gradual company-wide adoption.
A strategy that keeps in mind both business goals as well as user experience will ensure a successful transformation from the traditional model.
With a team of experienced DevOps specialists, we at DigitalOnUs have backed DevOps transformations of many enterprises that have seen successful outcomes. Take a look at our specialized range of technology services.
