How to combine Agile with DevOps?
Tags: devops, agile, devjournal, microservices
Published: 2022-05-12 17:00:55

Throughout my experience, I have found out that tech giants leveraged the combination of Agile and DevOps to have tons of advantages in the software development process. [Agile and DevOps](https://www.simform.com/blog/agile-vs-devops/) are two prime verticals of modern-day SDLC. On the one hand, DevOps focuses on speeding up the processes to deploy the software in the market as soon as possible. On the other hand, the agile methodology focuses on the rapid development of software. It doesn’t take into consideration the operational aspects of the SDLC. Together, they offer a combined package that delivers the best in terms of quality and service. But, the question still arises - How to effortlessly combine the two practices?  Let’s take a look at the possible solutions to achieve the same.

##Automation

In combining Agile with DevOps, automation plays a crucial role. One should focus on [automating all the code scanning processes](https://devops.com/how-to-combine-devops-and-agile/) to pinpoint potential security vulnerabilities. As automation is an end-to-end process, the only manual check one needs to do is at the endpoint of automation for any issues. The whole automation process is finished a lot quicker than their manual counterparts. This speeds up the entire development process. 

##DevOps adoption in Sprints

While working in an agile environment, the development process is often subdivided into sprints. As a result, it's a strategic move to integrate DevOps with sprints. While integrating DevOps with sprints, one can follow steps like -

Invite DevOps teams in planning sessions
Discuss product functionality and operational features
Making DevOps teams a part of the sprint backlog and daily meetings as well as during sprint reviews.

##Measurement and Analysis

Project management must track the success of Agile DevOps after it has been integrated. The user must take specific steps to ensure that it is effective. It also enables the successful deployment of many releases for quick production. One can track progress by doing the following things.

Percentage of release date adherences.
Analyzing the increased amount of release numbers.
Time taken from production till the release of the software
Platform or support required during the entire process

##Right tools

For a successful implementation of Agile and DevOps in the development process, businesses should use the relevant technologies. The [right tools](https://www.embitel.com/blog/ecommerce-blog/why-combining-devops-with-agile-is-the-best-for-your-business) will help you configure your software development process. It will then assist in the creation and replication of the IaaC (Infrastructure as a Code). Developers will find it easier to link apps across platforms without having to rewrite the code or expend additional resources.

##Defining the software lifecycle

The use of an Agile framework and DevOps will make it easier to describe the product lifecycle. The combination of Agile and DevOps will improve consistency by decreasing cost and waste. It accelerates the development process and prepares it for the market. Therefore, it is ideal to incorporate DevOps principles from the beginning of the development process. Doing so will enable your teams to inherit more operational responsibilities. 

##Wrapping up

Both the technologies working parallel to each other can remove the barriers between the development and operations of an organization. As DevOps is based on cross-functional teams, including DevOps teams in Agile breaks organizational silos. All this leads to effective communication and collaboration for rapid prototyping, development, and deployment of software. 

When merging DevOps with Agile, enterprises must assess the need by determining how many applications or builds they require every week. DevOps adoption is ideal for a company that wants to update its application often while avoiding service disruptions. Etsy, for example, updates its site every 20 minutes without causing any service disruption to its over 20 million users. Organizations that only need two or three changes per year may avoid integrating DevOps with Agile.