The methodology for developing software used to be fairly straightforward. Developers used the Waterfall methodology, Which was extremely linear, making it impossible for developers to react to any changes or misunderstandings in a client’s needs. To solve this problem, the Agile methodology was born.
The Agile method for software development splits up a project into several cycles known as “sprints.” These cycles can last from one to several weeks, and each sprint focuses on one aspect of the software. At the end of a sprint, developers check in with the customer to make sure they’re on the right track.
While the Agile methodology gives development teams the ability to consistently re-evaluate their work, there’s still a lag between different steps. Each sprint involves a condensed period of planning, implementation, and testing. However, the DevOps methodology allows all of these steps to happen simultaneously.
DevOps integrates IT professionals into the process. The idea is that all steps of development will happen constantly and continuously. While the software is in the process of being built, it’s also redesigned, tested, and maintained at the same time. The DevOps methodology allows teams to release fully developed and tested software at a rapid pace.
Agile and DevOps approaches each have benefits. Understanding how both methods work and the ideologies behind them will assist you in deciding which is best for your software needs. The following guide will introduce you to both methods and show you what they have in common and how they differ.
DevOps essentials: What to know about this approach
The term “DevOps” refers to a relationship between developers (Dev) and information technology (IT) operations (Ops). In other methods, these two groups would work independently. In a DevOps team, they collaborate.
Below are a few key concepts and practices of the DevOps approach:
- Automation: To deliver software quickly, DevOps tries to rely on automation as much as possible. For example, DevOps teams will use tools like Puppet, which saves administrative code into reusable chunks to automate workflow.
- Perpetual workflow: All processes in a DevOps team are continuous. A central goal of the DevOps methodology is to create a continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) pipelines to keep systems operating.
- Collaboration with IT operations: Developers in a DevOps team work closely with IT professionals. Both departments work together simultaneously to achieve maximum efficiency.
- Constant feedback: Because software created by a DevOps team is tested at the same time it’s made, it can be evaluated and adjusted in real-time. DevOps teams handle their testing, so they don’t have to wait for anyone else to qualify their results.
The DevOps methodology assimilates every process involved in the creation of the software and makes each one continuous. DevOps teams can manage every aspect of their operation internally.
Agile essentials: What to know about this approach
The key benefit of using an Agile approach for development is that it allows a team to adjust its software to a client’s changing needs. Many companies prefer to hire Agile teams because they allow business leaders to be included in the process.
Below are a few key concepts and practices of the Agile approach:
- Checking in with the customer: Agile teams make the client an integral part of software development. This communication allows for a project to be adjusted even as a customer’s needs evolve.
- Constant communication among team members: Every day, an Agile team will have a short meeting in which members discuss the work completed the previous day, what they plan to get done today, and the problems they’ve experienced. Each member of an Agile team benefits from the advice of their peers on how to best tackle their role.
- Iterations: Agile development is an iterative process, meaning that an overarching project is split into several smaller projects or iterations. After each iteration, the team evaluates its results to see what worked and what didn’t.
- Efficiency: To an Agile team, it’s just as important to avoid irrelevant work as it is to accomplish critical tasks. The team is committed to prioritizing tasks, tackling the most essential ones, and dropping the excess.
The Agile method allows a team to adjust its approach periodically. The result is a product that a customer has not only signed off on but feels actively involved in. This practice of breaking larger projects into small intervals also makes this method beneficial for huge ventures.
Now that technology lets people communicate worldwide, you can even hire independent developers for your Agile team. This practice can give your team greater mobility to function from anywhere in the world.
DevOps vs. Agile: Key differences
The DevOps and Agile methodologies share the goal of quickly building quality software, and there are similarities between the two processes. Both rely heavily on communication between stakeholders, condense the time frame between implementation and feedback, and seek to maximize efficiency.
Because of their shared attributes, it’s difficult to present a clear picture of how the two methods contrast. DevOps could even be considered a descendant of the Agile methodology, and both systems are widely used today by a variety of teams.
Still, there are a few distinctions that can help you decide which is best for your project. Below is a list of some important factors to consider.
Periodic vs. continuous delivery
Agile teams split their workload into a series of smaller objectives. An Agile team will divert its energy into completing one objective before moving to the next one. They call these periods “sprints.” It’s only at the end of each sprint that software is delivered to the customer.
On the other hand, DevOps is constantly delivering and implementing software. In a DevOps team, the software is released immediately, and it can be optimized if need be. Testing and delivery happen simultaneously.
Small teams vs. large teams
Because DevOps teams require continuous workflow, they’re usually larger than Agile teams. Agile teams can focus on one step of a project before moving to the next. The whole team will focus on planning a sprint, implementing code, and then testing the code.
In a DevOps team, different members work on different aspects of development at the same time. While part of the team is writing code, another part is testing code, and another part is keeping an eye on the software to see how it should be changed. DevOps teams need to be large enough to accommodate this steady workflow.
Because DevOps teams can be huge, hiring independent professionals can save your company time and office space. Independent developers can even be more productive and cost-effective.
Customer feedback vs. self-reliance
At the end of every sprint, an Agile team will convene with its client to ensure its work meets the customer’s expectations. The team will then use the feedback from its client to make adjustments during its next sprint.
Alternatively, part of a DevOps team is always devoted to testing applications and analyzing user data. DevOps teams can provide their feedback and react to it in real-time.
Planning vs. immediate implementation
An Agile team has to spend a fair amount of time planning and designing the code it will need to complete a project. The team will work together to implement the code only after a plan is in place.
DevOps teams combine these steps. While they still should write relevant code, they don’t pause to plan it out beforehand. The code can be altered in real-time to meet software needs.
For example, user data might show that a website’s load time affects how long a user stays on the page. An Agile team would meet to discuss the best way to shorten a page’s load time before any code was written. A DevOps team would write code immediately to decrease load time and alter their code as needed.
Communication vs. collaboration
Agile teams need to maintain great communication not only among themselves but also with their client. Daily meetings among team members help them improve their work processes, while meetings with the customer ensure they’re on the right track.
DevOps teams are collaborative. Developers and IT workers don’t just talk to each other; they are part of the same unit. This collaboration allows all steps of software development to operate continuously.
Narrow vs. broad skill set
While both Agile and DevOps teams split their members into different roles, a DevOps engineer will typically need a broader understanding of every aspect of development to collaborate efficiently. Because Agile teams only focus on one aspect of development at a time, individuals don’t have to know every role.
One benefit of this wide area of expertise is that if a member of a DevOps team is unable to work for any reason, another DevOps developer can usually pick up the slack, and production doesn’t stall. The downside is that DevOps developers can be more expensive to hire.
Make the most of your approach with the right talent
Having a basic knowledge of both Agile and DevOps project models can go a long way in helping you decide which is best for your software needs. You might even choose to use aspects of both.
For example, your team might strive for continuous implementation and delivery but still schedule periodic meetings to adapt to evolving business needs. These approaches don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Whichever path you choose, finding the best developers for your software needs doesn’t have to be stressful. When you use Upwork, skilled independent workers from all over the world will come to you, and we’ll help you narrow your search to the ones best suited to your needs.
