DevOps or Agile: Which is Best for Your Organization?
Software Development, Configuration & Deployment. Today, practically everything we use has software. It could be planted in our gadgets to make them more intelligent or could be installed in the form of programs in our computers and mobile devices. Due to the rapid expansion of computer technologies and digitization, we now see software development being undertaken by many companies. That’s where DevOps as a software development method plays a vital role.
Software Development refers to the entire process involving a variety of tasks. It includes computer programming, documenting, repairing and testing activities related to the creation and maintenance of various applications and frameworks.
With the Agile software development approach, the requirements and solutions develop gradually through the collaborative efforts of cross-functional teams and end users.
Out of DevOps and Agile, which one is the best approach for your organization?
Let’s try to answer this question by explaining DevOps, Agile and the differences between the two. We’ll also understand why best DevOps certification training classes online from NetCom Learning could be highly beneficial for you.
What is DevOps & Agile?
DevOps as a software development method pays attention to communication, integration, and collaboration between IT professionals to enable rapid product deployments through process automation. It encourages collaboration between development and operations team which increases an organization’s application and service delivery speed.
DevOps method is based on cross-functional collaboration. It involves automation, monitoring starting from integration, testing, releasing, to deployment and infrastructure management.
Agile method or software development process includes continuous iteration of development and testing in the SDLC process. It stresses on iterative, incremental, and evolutionary development. It also breaks the product into smaller pieces and then integrates them for the final testing.
Unlike software development approaches such as Waterfall which took months for completion and the customer could not see the product till the end of the development cycle, Agile is divided into sprints and iterations. They are shorter in duration during which some predecided features can be developed and delivered.
Agile can be implemented in multiple ways such as scrum, Kanban, and XP.
DevOps Vs Agile: Similarities & Differences
Let’s analyze DevOps and Agile based on the following 4 parameters:
· Creation, Deployment of Software: Agile is exclusively a software development process. Software development is an intrinsic part of the Agile.
DevOps deploys software which could have been developed using other methods, including Agile and non-agile ones.
· Planning and Documentation: Agile develops new versions and updates during regular sprints. It requires regular informal meetings where team members set goals, share progress status and ask for help. There is less emphasis on documentation.
DevOps does not require regular meetings and involves a substantial amount of documentation. Such practices are considered necessary to ensure a smooth flow of communication across teams for effective software deployment.
· Scheduling Activities, Team Size: Agile works in short and predecided sprints. These sprints can last for a week to the maximum one month. Teams work faster with a smaller number of members.
DevOps may include many teams using different models such as Waterfall, Scrum or Kanban. Teams could be larger and a lot more cross-functional.
· Speed and Risk: Agile releases are frequent, but they are considerably less than DevOps teams’ goals.
Some DevOps products release new features versions numerous times in an hour.
With Agile, to incorporate fast changes, the application framework and structure need to be stable.
With DevOps also, the risk of breaking previous iterations is much higher due to the greater frequency of releases.
What’s Best for Your Organization?
IT Departments often ask this question. There are multiple views out there. Some may suggest you choose DevOps as the superior method and others may ask you to go for Agile.
Before choosing any one of them, you must keep the following factors in mind:
· Both Agile and DevOps aim to reduce the time it takes for new systems and codes to reach users.
· Both look for a more fluid approach to development.
Both approaches address different aspects of the software development life cycle; however, they cannot be being opposed to each other.
· Adopting both DevOps and Agile lets you to manage your software development process from end to end. It also allows you to use small size and much leaner teams with specific skills needed to do the job.
· Agile is employed during initial planning and requirements. DevOps steps in once the software is delivered and deployed.
Deciding which approach to adopt could depend on your specific requirements. A smart way could be to go for a combination approach.
DevOps approach complements Agile and enables faster, effective, and more efficient delivery to the end users.
For more details on Agile, you may explore online DevOps certificate courses & DevOps certification training classes from NetCom Learning.
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