DevOps: Beyond a Modified SDLC Model - More than a Hashtag and an Illustration
Tags: devops, softwaredevelopment, culture, agile
Published: 2023-09-18 10:07:38

The term "DevOps" is ubiquitous these days and has become something of a buzzword. Originally, it came about because it could be conveniently used as a hashtag on Twitter to track discussions related to software development and operations. Nevertheless, DevOps encompasses far more depth and significance than merely a passing trend.

## The power of visualisations
We often rely on illustrations to explain complex concepts. One example is the "DevOps Infinity Loop", which many of us have seen in presentations and discussions. This illustration gives the impression that different stages in the cycle can be directly attributed to either development or operations. However, the reality is much more nuanced.

While such representations are visually appealing, they often oversimplify the complexity of DevOps, reducing it to a level that does not do justice to the depth and diversity of the methodology. These portrayals can lead to misunderstandings and give the impression that DevOps is limited to a linear sequence of steps.

## DevOps as a philosophy and culture

In reality, DevOps is much more than that. It is a philosophy and culture of collaboration, continuous learning and continuous improvement. DevOps aims to break down the silos between development and operations, but that doesn't mean it's limited to just those two areas. DevOps is a call for collaboration and the application of principles throughout the organisation.
The strength of DevOps is its versatility and adaptability. It allows principles and tools to be applied based on an organisation's specific needs and goals.

## DevOps beyond a modified SDLC model

While it's true that DevOps is often associated with the integration of development and operations within the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), it's important to recognise that DevOps is not just a modified version of the SDLC.
The SDLC focuses primarily on the phases of software development, from planning and design to coding, testing, deployment and maintenance. DevOps, on the other hand, extends its reach beyond these phases to encompass a broader set of practices and principles.
DevOps involves a cultural shift that encourages collaboration, communication, and shared responsibility across all facets of the organisation. It promotes a mindset of automation, continuous integration, continuous delivery and continuous monitoring that goes over and above the boundaries of traditional SDLC models.
In addition, DevOps recognises the importance of feedback loops, both internal and external, to drive continuous improvement. It encourages teams to work closely together to streamline processes, reduce bottlenecks and improve the overall efficiency of the entire software development and deployment pipeline.

## Embrace the lack of a strict framework

One of the unique aspects of DevOps is the lack of a strict framework; however, this also opens the door to potential misinterpretations. In many illustrations of the infinite loop, you often see only 'Dev' and 'Ops', with the occasional 'Security' thrown in. This has led to calls for the resulting in variations such as DevSecOps or even further modified DevBizOps to include the Business aspects.
Nonetheless, it's important to understand that the core idea behind the DevOps movement is the integration of the entire organisation and every aspect of software development.

## Conclusion

So let's not stop at the surface level of DevOps, which often involves hashtags and visual representations. It's about understanding the principles behind DevOps and applying them to our unique challenges and goals. DevOps is a journey of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.