The term ‘DevOps’, coined in 2009, refers to a culture that promotes a holistic approach to the software development lifecycle (SDLC) by building stronger relations between the software development and IT operation divisions in an organization.

The main objective of DevOps is to completely break down barriers between development and operations, so as to establish an effective working environment that is transparent, rapid, responsible, and smart, for the overall success of a project.

How did DevOps originate?

DevOps has its roots in Agile software development methodology which focuses on building a collaborative environment between the client and vendor, promoting cross-functional working between the various divisions in an organization, and encouraging systems thinking. The Agile method has proved to be very efficient with successful outcomes.

DevOps implements new techniques and strategies to approach the Agile philosophy.  It attempts to eliminate the practice of silos, in order to build a more integrated work atmosphere, for the effective and smooth running of an organization.

Though Agile and DevOps may seem similar, they are not the same. While the Agile methodology focuses on addressing the issues between the development team and customer needs, DevOps focuses on bridging the gap between the development and operation teams.

What are the benefits of practicing DevOps?

One of the biggest advantages of adopting DevOps is that it breaks down silos. By getting rid of silos, organizations can build stronger relationships without any hierarchical distributions of power that can result in miscommunication and conflicts.

Another major benefit of incorporating the DevOps culture is that organizations can get more work done in a short span of time. The efficiency of employees increases when they work in a collaborative environment and this, in turn, will help them achieve their targets faster.

Practicing DevOps brings stability in the workings of an organization. This, in turn, builds an atmosphere of reliability and stability — a scenario which reduces the chances of failure by 50 percent.

The DevOps culture encourages team members to think of their roles as part of contributing to the bigger whole – the development of the organization itself. This improves their sense of responsibility to their work and makes them more accountable.

How can DevOps be implemented?

The best method to adopt DevOps is to implement it slowly, little by little. It takes time for people to break free from silos and adapt to an integrated environment, accept and trust new people and ideas. It is advisable to give people the time to adopt DevOps, and to improve their confidence in practicing it. One way to establish an integrated environment is to encourage systems thinking and avoid making one person or a particular team responsible for a failed action or result.

Numerous organizations have benefited by adopting the DevOps culture in recent years. Though the process of adopting and practicing DevOps can seem a little challenging initially, it becomes easier to overcome the challenges once one gets accustomed to its principles and functions.

CloudNow is a software development company that strongly believes in adopting an Agile-DevOps approach throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC). For DevOps services that deliver exceptional results, contact us today.