In the world of software and app development, making a product that is reliable in a timely manner is the key to success. Often times, business owners get so wrapped up in meeting deadlines that they forget to assess the overall functionality of their new product. Rather than putting out a subpar app or software program, you need to find a better way to manage these types of projects.
One of the best ways to make the app and software development process more successful is by embracing the power of DevOps. In essence, DevOps is a philosophy that combines a number of project management practices and tools in an attempt to make the development process easier.
Recent studies show that businesses that embrace the DevOps method recover from project failures 96 times faster than companies who don’t use this methodology. While most business owners have heard DevOps thrown around as a buzzword in their industry, many are confused about how to make this methodology work for them.
Here are just some of the biggest challenges facing companies who are trying to use DevOps in the New Year.
Honing in On What DevOps Means to Your Company
As previously mentioned, the term DevOps is thrown around a lot but rarely defined by those using it. Most people choose to describe this way of thinking as a tool used to combine the roles of development and operational teams within an organization. You need to view DevOps as a thought experiment when first introducing it to your team.
Once you and your team have a firm grasp on what DevOps will entail, you can begin to apply it to the way you do business. After you define what DevOps will mean to your team, you need to make sure those around you agree with the definition. Then and only then will you be able to move forward and have success with adopting a DevOps state of mind.
Understanding that DevOps Isn’t Right For Every Project
One of the biggest problems facing companies using DevOps is realizing that this method isn’t right for every project. Rather than trying to make DevOps fit a project, you need to look at each task objectively. Often times, you will need to use DevOps to complete jobs that are extremely time sensitive and that require the highest level of quality to be achieved.
The best way to get an idea of which projects could benefit from DevOps is by using active portfolio management software. With this software, you can easily see the working variables of your projects and make sure they have the right resources for success. Over time, you will begin to get a feel for which projects need DevOps and which ones do not.
Quick Build and Release Can Come Back to Haunt You
Some business owners think that DevOps is all about getting to market first with a new app or software program. In reality, this process is meant to help companies build higher-quality apps in a faster amount of time. Simply rushing through the building of a new app or software program is a bad idea that can have dire consequences.
Instead of trying to rush through this process with the help of DevOps, you need to leave your developers plenty of time in the schedule to test out programs before they are released. While this may slow down production a bit, it is an essential part of a successful app or software development project.
Releasing an app or software program that is filled with bugs and problems will hurt your reputation, instead, focus on identifying key problems and troubleshoot wherever applicable – both in code and on server.
Rather than having to deal with the fallout from these problems, you need to adequately test everything that has your company’s name attached to it thoroughly.
Reduce Your Dependence on Legacy Systems
If you are like most business owners, you probably don’t realize there are a number of things you need to do to make sure DevOps is successful when adopted.
The first thing you need to do is assess the legacy systems you are currently using and find a way to get rid of them. Often times, legacy systems will be glitchy and highly inefficient, which can make it impossible for your team to be productive.
If the legacy systems you have in place are being used by customers, finding a way to slowly phase them out is vital. Phasing these systems out may be a headache, but it will be worth the effort in the long run. By choosing modern systems for your business, you can take advantage of the efficiency and productivity they provide.
Allowing IT professionals to perform an audit on the technology you currently have in place is beneficial. With their help, you can identify technology pain points and find a way to fix them before starting to use DevOps.
