In the world of software development methodologies, there is a lot of discussion about DevOps compared to Agile. But the truth is, these two concepts might be more complimentary than you think.
Let's begin with the basics:
Agile approaches software development through the lens of collaboration, adaptability, and customer satisfaction. Agile teams are known for working in short increments of time called ‘sprints’ with the goal of delivering working software at the end of each sprint. Usually, these sprints are between 4-6 weeks, and the team works together to turn priorities into requirements and set the right requirements for the next sprint. This approach follows the Agile Manifesto, prioritizing interactions, working software, customer collaboration, and response to change.
What is DevOps?
DevOps is a methodology that combines the philosophies, tools, and practices needed to deliver applications and services quickly. A functional DevOps team requires collaboration between developers and IT operations to increase the efficiency of software development within the product lifecycle. DevOps teams frequently use continuous integration and continuous delivery pipelines to automate the testing, building, and deployment of software.
By definition, these two approaches might seem mutually exclusive, but the two can work together seamlessly. To understand how this can work, let's compare this concept to something everyone can relate to… food.
Take a moment and think of your favorite restaurant.
Each time you visit, the restaurant aims to provide you (the customer) with an unforgettable experience, from efficiency and accuracy to creating an exceptional culinary experience. In this scenario, consider Agile like the master chef. The chef wants to deliver a delicious meal to the customer; he starts with his ingredients and tastes the food along the way, making slight adjustments until he gets the final dish just right. He is always testing new ingredients and techniques and frequently comes up with new ideas during the creative process. He is focused on creating an excellent product quickly without spending too much time worrying about what comes next. Consider DevOps like the waiter. The waiter delivers the chef’s culinary masterpiece to the customer on time and with quality. They make sure to take care of any customer needs and/or modifications. Essentially, DevOps is focused on ensuring the final product can be delivered continuously and smoothly.
The chef and the waiter work synergistically to provide an exceptional dining experience for the customer.
The same concept can be applied to your business operations because these two methodologies complement each other. Devops helps Agile teams to work quicker by automating processes that would be done manually without it. DevOps tools allow for easier deployment of new features and customer changes. Changes in response to customer requests can be made quickly because DevOps supports continuous feedback loops between stakeholders. Additionally, Agile sprints are measured more effectively due to DevOps tools, providing a clear understanding of improvement areas. The conjunction of these two concepts ultimately leads to better team collaboration, Increased productivity, and enhanced efficiency. If you want to speed up your development process without jeopardizing quality, contact us today for guidance on the next steps.