Software development is one of the most challenging yet rewarding challenges in the modern world. A small team with a few key personnel can have a big impact on the world around us.
With key personnel having such a huge impact, it’s critical to develop processes that push development in useful ways.
To top it all off, experienced developers and administrators take years to train and aren’t easily replaceable. One person can’t simply sub in for another without a lengthy acclimation to the code base and systems.
This environment produces and demands good management. One of the leading strategies for reducing siloization, improving responsiveness, and reducing redevelopment are called DevOps.
Dev Ops and SysAdmin positions are critical to successful development. They make sure that their teams leverage good teamwork and planning to make the entire team more successful.
What Is DevOps?
DevOps is a management structure that brings software developers and systems administrators together on a single team.
Developers quickly push out code that responds to real-world needs, while systems administrators help identify needs and vulnerabilities.
The key advantage to DevOps is an agile, responsive development cycle. Silos are broken down and everyone participates to the best of their abilities.
DevOps is, at its core, a name for the fast and meaningful development style made famous in Silicon Valley over the past 30 years.
The challenge is that software development is difficult and requires people to become experts in focused areas. People gain expertise with specific parts of the codebase over time, and they aren’t easily replaceable.
Talking to other team members is a good first step, but specialization is still going to happen.
How Can We Automate DevOps Processes?
Although different team members will have areas of responsibility, it’s critical to get them talking and to reduce redundant or useless development.
When a systems administrator becomes aware of a critical need, that needs to be communicated quickly and efficiently.
DevOps automation is maybe a misnomer because we’re really just talking about communicating better.
However, there are ways we can give systems administrators better tools so that each minor adjustment doesn’t have to be hardcoded.
Product Management
Software engineers and developers need to be aware of the total lifetime cost of their design choices. Setting up a good design with administrator tools and flexible parameters can minimize redevelopment costs.
Fast, durable code is a good first step, but it needs to be user-accessible too.
It’s also important to develop and use good deployment tools that are flexible, reversible, and accountable. Everyone needs to be grown-up enough to put out good work, but when bad things happen, hopefully, there’ll be fast and easy fixes.
Getting feedback early on and consistently throughout the development process helps ensure timely and accurate decision-making. Reducing code redevelopment and automating functions is critical for scalability.
Well-planned and executed projects often show their worth over time, as the administrators and end-users find the tools and build their own workflows.
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