DevOps – a methodology that boosts the efficiency of development cycles – continues to gain popularity as more cloud-native offerings are adopted across the globe. DevOps plays an integral part in creating a more efficient IT infrastructure for organizations. It also enhances collaboration while streamlining automation.
Shifting to DevOps is no simple task – it requires buy-in and commitment to change. However, it’s paramount for organizations to make a move to DevOps.
Here are four essential practices for a smooth, effective, and efficient transition.
1. Train – and continue to train
It is imperative to invest in training. You must address any cloud skills gaps within your organization to preempt headaches later.
[ Also read Top 4 skills to be a cloud-native developer ]
DevOps is a relatively new methodology, and it is constantly changing. That makes it even more important to stay current. It is also prudent to perform self-audits and penetration tests to see weaknesses within your organization. You need everyone to buy in, so ensure your employees continue learning about new technology. This is integral to a smooth transition.
2. Focus on security
When migrating to DevOps, consider the security aspects: Build security into workflows and monitor it. If possible, hire a chief security officer.
[ Also read DevOps: 3 steps to plan and execute a successful project. ]
Keeping up with security is critical, especially in a rapidly evolving area like DevOps. Failing to do so can pose significant problems for your organization, so be proactive.
3. Perform at an optimal level
To get the most out of your transition to DevOps, perform automated testing to ensure you meet goals and reduce human error. Also, if you start testing during the development stage, you can lay the groundwork for an effective continuous integration process.
Performing automated testing is more straightforward in a cloud-based system. It is not dependent on having sufficient hardware to make it run properly. This allows cloud hosts to scale up or down more quickly.
4. Automate whenever possible
Automation saves time and money. It minimizes the delivery cycle, eliminates the dependency on manual labor, and frees up your organization to dedicate valuable resources to other areas. Your organization has many opportunities to automate, whether it relates to security, testing, or monitoring.
Ultimately, DevOps is a game-changer for organizations across the globe. It is changing the way that applications are being constructed and managed, enabling organizations to create cloud solutions that are easy to adapt and scale.
Transitioning to DevOps is a seismic move for any organization, but focusing on these critical areas will help ease the process and increase its effectiveness.
[ Need to explain key Agile and DevOps terms to others? Get our cheat sheet: DevOps Glossary. ]
