In the world of software development, we often talk about the Agile DevOps approach in a broad sense to mean a more modern code design methodology that is better suited to meeting today’s fundamental requirements. These include, for example, the ability of developers to quickly release digital products and services, as well as the ability to be flexible in integrating new features that end users continually demand. In reality, Agile and DevOps are two distinct methodologies: let’s take a closer look at their respective characteristics and the benefits each provides.
What is the Agile method?
In the Agile DevOps universe, the Agile methodology was the first to be conceived and then formalized in the “Agile Manifesto,” or “Manifesto for Agile Software Development,” published in 2001, which defines its fundamental principles. Essentially, the idea of creating the Agile methodology arose to overcome the limitations of more traditional development models, such as the so-called “waterfall” model. In waterfall, the software development life cycle (SDLC) is managed in a sequential, rigid, and hierarchical manner (requirements definition, design, implementation, verification, maintenance), which does not allow for iterations along the way. As a result, project requirements, software quality, and team work results are only verified at the end of the cycle, usually after the implementation or maintenance phase.
How the Agile model works
The Agile method prefers to base the development cycle on an iterative and incremental style. This approach allows the code to be developed in small blocks and to verify, during the process, whether what has been developed corresponds to the functionality and project requirements initially specified by the client, making any necessary changes and corrections. The Agile methodology therefore establishes principles and mechanisms that promote interaction between individuals, the creation of functioning software, collaboration with the client, and the ability to respond quickly to change.
Here are the main stages of iteration in this methodology:
What is the DevOps method?
In the Agile DevOps context, the DevOps methodology, first introduced in 2009, aims to take a further leap forward in terms of quality compared to the Agile philosophy in improving the software development cycle. DevOps extends the principles of agility, collaboration, and responsiveness to business needs across the entire software creation and delivery infrastructure. DevOps therefore encompasses not only the development (Dev) department but also the operations (Ops) department of an IT organization, which is responsible for administering the resources and systems in production that are necessary for the developed software to function. In the DevOps methodology, there are no longer separate “development” and ‘operations’ teams, but rather “feature teams” that are culturally trained and motivated to adopt common tools and working practices and to share end-to-end objectives and responsibilities throughout the entire software creation, distribution, and implementation chain.
How do Agile and DevOps interact?
How are Agile and DevOps related? Although they are distinct methodologies, they are strongly intertwined in software development, acting in synergy. While Agile focuses on the flexibility of the development process and customer-developer collaboration, DevOps extends these principles to the entire IT infrastructure. These are the key points of their interaction:
- Complementarity: Agile provides the basis for an iterative and adaptive approach to software development. DevOps complements the Agile approach by focusing on automation and efficiency in IT operations.
- Synergy between Development and Operations: DevOps promotes integration between development (Dev) and operations (Ops) teams, improving collaboration.
- Rapid Feedback Loops: Both methods emphasize the importance of timely feedback for continuous improvement. Agile uses rapid iterations (sprints) that are integrated into the DevOps model.
- Automation and Continuous Deployment: DevOps focuses on automating the development, testing, and release phases. This leads to a more efficient development cycle, with more frequent, high-quality releases.
- Common Goals: Both Agile and DevOps aim to reduce development time and improve software quality by promoting efficiency, collaboration, and continuous improvement in the software development process.
Agile DevOps, two complementary development methods
Agile and DevOps methods can be considered complementary models, because even in DevOps, software development can take place through a series of iterations (sprints), which allow a project to be broken down into smaller blocks, making it more manageable and delivering higher quality software more quickly. DevOps, however, further reinforces the principles of collaboration and emphasizes the concept of continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) of software, made possible through automation tools and technologies. DevOps, therefore, allows the automation of the development, testing, and implementation phases of the code (build, test, deployment), further streamlining the development cycle and accelerating the speed and frequency of release of digital products and services, while maintaining the high quality of the code produced.