Two methodologies of digital product development have become very popular in recent years: Agile development and DevOps. Although different, they can effectively complement each other. Such a combination allows companies to simplify development processes and improve software quality. In this article we will tell you how Agile development methods complement DevOps principles and how to properly implement Agile development in your company.
Agile or Agile development
Agile development is a software development methodology based on step-by-step and gradual progress. This approach also involves close collaboration between teams involved in different development processes. Focus is also given to customer feedback, adaptability, and MVP (minimum viable product) presentation. Agile development methods such as Scrum, Lean, and Kanban are widely practiced due to their efficiency and capacity to improve product quality.
DevOps
DevOps (development & operations) is a set of practices aimed at addressing the disconnect between development and operations teams. These practices foster a culture of collaboration, automation, continuous integration, and delivery (CI/CD). DevOps principles aim to eliminate bottlenecks in the development pipeline, reduce manual intervention, and accelerate the delivery of software updates and features.
Combining Agile and DevOps
CI/CD pipelines. Agile development promotes small, gradual changes to software. This harmonizes with DevOps principles focused on automation and rapid code deployment. Using Agile practices, development teams create continuous delivery pipelines. This ensures that every code change is carefully tested and then smoothly deployed into production.
Agile development teams are formed of professionals with different skill sets. For example, they may include not only developers, but also testers and designers working together to achieve a common goal. DevOps uses a similar cross-functional approach that involves developers and operation professionals working closely together. This collaboration ensures that software is not only developed quickly, but also works consistently once deployed to production.
Customers. Emphasizing the importance of feedback and adaptability, Agile development means that the customer is at the center of this process. DevOps helps extend this focus by ensuring that customer feedback is considered in operational improvements. By combining Agile and DevOps, organizations quickly respond to customer requests and deliver updates that meet their expectations.
Implementing Agile
Having understood how Agile and DevOps are related, you can begin to effectively implement Agile methodology and practices into your organization’s workflow. To do this, you need to:
Assess the current state. You should start the implementation by assessing the existing development processes, team structure, and internal collaborative culture. You also need to identify areas that need improvement and how Agile can address these issues.
Select an Agile Framework. Your Agile framework should match the goals and culture of the organization. Popular frameworks include Scrum, Kanban and Lean. It is important that people understand the chosen framework and its principles.
Initiate training. To ensure successful Agile implementation, companies should consider investing in Agile training for their teams. This can include courses such as Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Certified Agile Practitioner (CAP). Training is key to keeping everyone on the same page and being able to effectively implement Agile practices.
Organize cross-functional teams. When implementing Agile, you need to reorganize teams into cross-functional units. They should consist of developers, testers, and other specialists required for the project. Self-organization is key and such units should be able to make their own decisions about how they work.
Keep a log. It is recommended to create a log of uncompleted product work. In this log, you need to prioritize the work determined on the basis of customer needs and business values. Such a backlog serves as the main source of work for the Agile team. The backlog will ensure that team members are always focused on the most important tasks.
Plan sprints. One important element is to hold regular sprint planning meetings to determine the scope of work for each iteration. All team members should participate in these meetings. As a result of the meeting and shared information, there should be a clear understanding of what will be achieved during the sprint.
Assess the outcome. At the end of each sprint, you should summarize the outcome and give its overview. This will allow you to present the completed work and gather feedback from stakeholders. It is also recommended to conduct a retrospection: individual teams will be able to reflect on what went well and what can be improved.
Improve. It is important to encourage a culture of continuous improvement. This approach will motivate teams to regularly improve their work processes and look for ways to increase productivity and product quality.
Agile development practices provide a solid foundation for implementing DevOps principles in a company. To successfully implement Agile, you need to assess the current state of your organization, choose the right structure, and make an investment in training your teams.
As an experienced DevOps development company, SHALB knows how to successfully implement Agile in an organization. By following best DevOps development practices and Agile principles, our DevOps support services help businesses accomplish the agile development process, accelerate software delivery, and improve overall product and service quality.
