DevOps, a clipped compound of 'development' and 'operations', is a set of practices that combines software development and IT operations. It aims to shorten the systems development life cycle and provide continuous delivery with high software quality. DevOps is complementary with Agile software development; several DevOps aspects came from Agile methodology.
Within the context of DevOps, governance refers to the process of establishing and maintaining a consistent management approach to ensure that the organization's DevOps strategy aligns with its overall business objectives. Governance in DevOps involves the implementation of policies, procedures, and standards that guide the development, deployment, and operation of software applications.
Definition of Governance in DevOps
Governance in DevOps is the framework that ensures that the right decisions are made to deliver value to the organization. It involves defining the roles, responsibilities, and processes that guide the development and operation of software applications. The goal of governance in DevOps is to ensure that all activities align with the organization's strategic objectives and comply with relevant regulations.
It is important to note that governance in DevOps is not about imposing restrictions or creating bureaucratic hurdles. Instead, it is about enabling the organization to achieve its objectives in a controlled and predictable manner. This involves balancing the need for speed and innovation with the need for control and risk management.
Key Elements of Governance in DevOps
The key elements of governance in DevOps include policies, procedures, and standards. Policies are high-level guidelines that define what the organization aims to achieve. Procedures are detailed instructions that describe how specific tasks should be performed. Standards are benchmarks or best practices that the organization aims to adhere to.
Another important element of governance in DevOps is the roles and responsibilities. This involves defining who is responsible for what, who has the authority to make decisions, and who is accountable for the outcomes. This helps to ensure that everyone in the organization understands their role and responsibilities in the DevOps process.
Importance of Governance in DevOps
Governance in DevOps is important for several reasons. First, it helps to ensure that the organization's DevOps strategy aligns with its overall business objectives. This helps to ensure that the organization is moving in the right direction and that all activities are contributing to the achievement of its goals.
Second, governance in DevOps helps to manage risks. This involves identifying potential risks, assessing their impact, and implementing measures to mitigate them. This helps to ensure that the organization is prepared for any eventualities and can respond effectively to any issues that may arise.
History of Governance in DevOps
The concept of governance in DevOps has evolved over time. In the early days of DevOps, the focus was primarily on speed and innovation. The goal was to break down the barriers between development and operations and to deliver software applications faster and more efficiently. However, as DevOps practices became more widespread, it became clear that there was a need for a more structured approach to managing the DevOps process.
This led to the development of the concept of governance in DevOps. The idea was to create a framework that would guide the DevOps process and ensure that it aligned with the organization's strategic objectives. This involved defining roles and responsibilities, establishing policies and procedures, and implementing standards and best practices.
Evolution of Governance in DevOps
The evolution of governance in DevOps has been influenced by several factors. One of the key drivers has been the increasing complexity of software applications. As applications have become more complex, the need for a more structured approach to managing the DevOps process has become more apparent.
Another factor has been the increasing emphasis on risk management. As organizations have become more aware of the potential risks associated with software development and operations, the need for a governance framework that can help to manage these risks has become more important.
Current State of Governance in DevOps
Today, governance in DevOps is recognized as a critical component of a successful DevOps strategy. Many organizations have established governance frameworks that guide their DevOps processes. These frameworks typically include policies, procedures, and standards, as well as clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
However, despite the growing recognition of the importance of governance in DevOps, many organizations still face challenges in implementing it effectively. These challenges include a lack of understanding of what governance in DevOps involves, resistance to change, and difficulties in balancing the need for speed and innovation with the need for control and risk management.
Use Cases of Governance in DevOps
Governance in DevOps can be applied in a variety of contexts. Here are a few examples of how it can be used:
Software Development
In a software development context, governance in DevOps can help to ensure that the development process is managed in a controlled and predictable manner. This can involve defining the roles and responsibilities of the development team, establishing policies and procedures for software development, and implementing standards and best practices.
Governance in DevOps can also help to manage risks associated with software development. This can involve identifying potential risks, assessing their impact, and implementing measures to mitigate them. This can help to ensure that the development process is not only efficient but also safe and reliable.
IT Operations
In an IT operations context, governance in DevOps can help to ensure that the operations process is managed in a controlled and predictable manner. This can involve defining the roles and responsibilities of the operations team, establishing policies and procedures for IT operations, and implementing standards and best practices.
Governance in DevOps can also help to manage risks associated with IT operations. This can involve identifying potential risks, assessing their impact, and implementing measures to mitigate them. This can help to ensure that the operations process is not only efficient but also safe and reliable.
Examples of Governance in DevOps
Here are a few specific examples of how governance in DevOps can be applied:
Role Definition
In a DevOps context, it is important to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the development and operations teams. This can involve defining who is responsible for what, who has the authority to make decisions, and who is accountable for the outcomes. This can help to ensure that everyone in the organization understands their role and responsibilities in the DevOps process.
For example, the development team might be responsible for developing the software application, while the operations team might be responsible for deploying and maintaining it. The governance framework can help to clarify these roles and responsibilities and ensure that they are understood and adhered to.
Policy Implementation
In a DevOps context, it is important to establish policies that guide the development and operation of software applications. These policies can cover a wide range of areas, including software development practices, deployment procedures, and operational standards. The governance framework can help to ensure that these policies are implemented and adhered to.
For example, a policy might require that all software applications be tested before they are deployed. The governance framework can help to ensure that this policy is followed and that any deviations are identified and addressed.
Risk Management
In a DevOps context, it is important to manage risks associated with software development and operations. This can involve identifying potential risks, assessing their impact, and implementing measures to mitigate them. The governance framework can help to manage these risks and ensure that they are effectively controlled.
For example, a risk might be that a software application could fail during deployment. The governance framework can help to identify this risk, assess its impact, and implement measures to mitigate it, such as thorough testing and contingency planning.
Conclusion
Governance in DevOps is a critical component of a successful DevOps strategy. It involves establishing a framework that guides the DevOps process and ensures that it aligns with the organization's strategic objectives. This includes defining roles and responsibilities, establishing policies and procedures, and implementing standards and best practices.
While implementing governance in DevOps can be challenging, the benefits can be significant. By ensuring that the DevOps process is managed in a controlled and predictable manner, governance can help to deliver value to the organization, manage risks, and ensure that the organization is moving in the right direction.