Why DevOps? How Does DevOps Work?

DevOps, essentially as an approach or a work culture, is implemented by the right amalgamation of collaboration, automation, integration, continuous delivery, testing and supervising.

Before we get further into the nitty-gritty, let us first understand the reason behind introducing DevOps.

Prior to the introduction of DevOps certification, the traditional or classic waterfall model was followed for software delivery. This process model involved a sequential flow of a defined set of phases where the output of one phase becomes the input of the next phase. Therefore, all the phases are dependent on each other, and the completion of one phase marks the beginning of the other.

Despite the simplicity of the Software Delivery Life Cycle (SDLC) model, it has been found to have several defects. It has been observed that in the ever-changing contemporary world, a business is met with multifaceted problems which require quick fixes. Changes in the product like adding new features, fixing bugs, etc require it to go through at least 4-5 different silos in traditional SDLC, causing delays and increasing cost.

According to Gene Kim, an award-winning CTO and researcher, the conflict and friction that develops among different teams to provide a stable software solution while at the same time respond instantly to dynamic needs leads to “a horrible downward spiral that leads to horrendous outcomes.” He further explains that the delay in production in traditional model leads to “hopelessness and despair” in the organization.

In its essence, DevOps is a more inclusive approach to the software development process, where the development and operations teams work collaboratively on the project. Resultantly, the software development life cycle is shortened with the help of faster feedback loops for more frequent delivery of updates and features.