DevOps is a software development method that emphasizes communication, collaboration, and integration between software developers and IT experts. What is DevOps? The word DevOps is a combination of two words, Dev and Ops. These two terms themselves explain briefly what DevOps is. The term 'Dev' is short for development and the term 'Ops' is short for operations, as in the operations that are necessary to keep a software system running seamlessly. Over the past few years, DevOps has become a popular approach to software development. Firms and businesses are implementing DevOps principles and practices in their software development processes to improve delivery speed and production quality. DevOps is commonly used in agile software development environments where it is used to promote rapid iteration, and each specific module of software is delivered to the customer as soon as it is updated.
The DevOps approach is considered best for large companies and enterprises that have complex IT needs and a large number of developers who can help streamline DevOps processes. Smaller companies can find it challenging to adopt this approach as in order to implement it, complex tools and programs are required which may not be easily available to startups and small firms. Nevertheless, a company should analyze its goals and objectives to figure out whether the DevOps software development approach aligns with them or not. This can be done easily with the help of IT consultants.
Drawbacks and Benefits of DevOps
Before choosing a software development method for a particular project, it is important to be fully aware of its advantages and disadvantages. Just like any other software development method, DevOps has its own set of advantages and disadvantages that makes it unique. Before settling on the DevOps approach to software development, a firm should keep in mind the following drawbacks and benefits of DevOps.
Benefits of DevOps
DevOps requires the automation of every major and minor task that is usually completed via a manual process. This automation thus minimizes the chances of errors and improves the efficiency of the development process.
The integration of software testing and quality assurance in the development process helps organizations identify and fix problems at an early stage in the development process. This is one of the key aspects of the DevOps approach that leads to high-quality production.
What makes DevOps the ideal method of project management is that it encourages frequent collaboration and communication between the team members involved. This helps break down the silos and improve cooperation.
When it comes to scalability, DevOps is the ideal development method as it allows the developers to quickly and efficiently scale the software system as per the client's changing requirements.
All of the above-listed benefits of DevOps lead to faster delivery of the final product to the customer. Not only does this boost customer satisfaction, but also enhances the company's and development team's reputation.
Drawbacks of DevOps
Compared to other software development methods, DevOps can prove a bit costlier. This is because organizations may need to invest more in tools, technologies, and test environments in order to support the continuous delivery and deployment of software modules.
DevOps approach can sometimes cause complexity in the working circle as it requires constant collaboration and communication to function efficiently. If a team member falls out or is unable to keep up with the development process, the entire module can get disrupted.
Since the DevOps approach is linked to constant changes in the development process, it can be a touch for an organization to establish standard practices and processes. Team members can also find it tough to be flexible with changes constantly.
The speedy module completion and the agile environment of the DevOps strategy can cause the risk of security breaches if proper safety measures are not taken.
It is often challenging for small businesses to adopt the DevOps strategy due to having limited resources. This approach requires large teams with specialized skills and training.
DevOps and Lean Development
The DevOps and Lean approach to software development are quite similar as they both aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of software development and delivery processes. Nevertheless, there are several key differences between the two approaches that make them beneficial for specific types of projects in their own way.
The lean development approach is based entirely on the principles of lean manufacturing. The key principles of lean development are to maximize value and minimize waste in the development process. This is achieved through the use of agile methodologies and techniques such as continuous integration and delivery, and by eliminating unnecessary processes and activities that do not add value to the end product.
On the other hand, DevOps is a software development method that emphasizes collaboration and communication between software developers and IT professionals, with the goal of improving the speed and reliability of software delivery. It is achieved through the use of agile methodologies and automation of software delivery processes, as well as a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
DevOps for Lean Development
The DevOps principles and practices can be used to support the lean development approach. Implementing this strategy can help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the software development process by automating various tasks and activities, such as testing, deployment, and infrastructure management. This, in turn, reduces the waste of time and resources and the overall speed and reliability of the software delivery.
DevOps and the lean development approach share numerous similarities and using DevOps for lean development can help organizations in achieving their objectives and goals in an efficient manner, while being able to maintain their focus on the top priorities. By using DevOps for lean development, the project manager can promote a culture of healthy communication and collaboration between the team of software developers and the IT professionals. This improves the overall performance of the team, resulting in ideal software delivery and high customer satisfaction.
Nearshore Outsourcing of DevOps Developers with Blue Coding
Blue Coding offers nearshore outsourcing services for software development. Our teams of experienced developers are familiar with all software development methodologies, and programming languages, and are capable of using high-end tools and programs to design, develop, and maintain software applications and custom websites. If you are looking to outsource remote DevOps developers, Blue Coding has the perfect highly skilled developer for you. Contact us now and get more details on our features and services.