The term “DevOps” describes not software but a methodology for collaboratively working with developers and operations to accomplish better and easier results. It has grown to a massive height, and according to studies, around 80% of companies have implemented it. But it doesn’t mean that DevOps will have no advantages and disadvantages. As with everything, DevOps has both a good and a wrong side.
Hence, in this article, I will explain all the advantages and disadvantages of DevOps to enable people to make an informed decision before hiring a DevOps team or contracting it out.
Let me clear a few misconceptions about DevOps before I discuss the real subject.
What is DevOps? In a nutshell:
DevOps is a set of practices deployed by software companies to make effective software. And in other words, it is a methodology that promotes collaboration between developers and operations teams to develop advanced software on time.
Top 6 Myths about DevOps:
It is well known that people have different mentalities. Even though many of them are intelligent, many of them lack basic literacy skills. However, some people are uneducated; they listen to something and spread it, which is wrong.
As a result, I would like to clarify the 6 most common myths about DevOps:
1. Resolves all issues:
Although DevOps is a game changer, it does not mean that its automation system is going to handle everything by itself. To successfully implement DevOps strategies, it is essential first to ensure that you have the right tools for the necessary purpose, and then it will start working.
2. It is Software:
You may have encountered software terms when you opened an article related to DevOps, and at first glance, you may have thought it was a software term. It is not a product or software but rather a set of methods software companies use to develop effective software.
3. DevOps is only for Devs and Ops:
Traditionally, DevOps has been referred to as the combination of two terms, Dev (Development) and Ops (Operations), but times have changed, and so has DevOps. Now, different departments are involved, including security administrators, data engineers, and business management.
4. It Surpassed Operational Staff:
DevOps focuses on automation for faster and better software development for users, but that does not mean that it has overlooked the needs of professional developers and operations teams. It is still their responsibility to initiate and manage DevOps.
5. It Requires Operations Experts’ Knowledge:
The following misconception is also widely held throughout the world, but it is entirely incorrect. I agree that operations experts should possess the necessary knowledge, but they do not need to be programming language masters.
6. It is only for the Online World:
In the past few years, web companies like Etsy, Amazon, and Netflix have implemented DevOps, which is why people started to think that it was only available for web companies. It is equally effective for both Web and offline companies and can create tremendous and consistent software for them both.
After reading the above myths, I hope you won’t think like this again.
Got it? Let’s move on!
How DevOps can be Beneficial as well as Problematic for Organizations:
There is no such thing as a perfect object in this world, whether it is living or not. The same is true for DevOps, which has both pros and cons, which I will describe below.
Extra: As an IT specialist, I believe we should always present both sides of the argument. To educate readers and the world, we must not only explain the pros but also explain the cons.
Advantages of DevOps – The Bright Side
Increased Product Output:
In the past, with traditional software development processes, organizations were extremely slow at delivering the software on time because of a lack of resources and a lack of cooperation between developers and IT operations staff. But DevOps has changed it completely because it is an environment where developers, IT technicians, business management, toolsets, etc., all work in a closed environment, thereby enhancing their performance and delivery time.
Additionally, it has enabled businesses to fix software issues quicker than ever before due to the increased pace of software development. Therefore, Amazon, Etsy, Starbucks, HP, and other billion-dollar companies have become interested since they do not want to experience slow operations.
Enhanced Efficiency of Software:
My opinion is that software creation is not a significant milestone. Still, it is more important that it is a perfect solution for any situation and should be effective in any environment. While traditional software development processes also created software, they lacked advanced features, resulting in the failure of the software. Thanks to DevOps, organizations can now create long-lasting, top-of-the-line software that will last for many years.
Now, many organizations can detect any fixes in software by employing built-in automated testing tools, which improve the software by overcoming any issues.
Improved Developer-operations Interaction:
For better performance, DevOps requires both developers and operations staff. Did you know that software manufacturing companies did not collaborate in the past? As a result, their work efficiency and flow were weaker. Fortunately, DevOps techniques allow developers and operations teams to collaborate in an environment where they can exchange ideas and aim for a better outcome. Further, when one is stuck, the other will assist, resulting in fast delivery of software and better recognition.
DevOps Enhances Business Success:
In order for an organization to grow over the long term, its business processes must be adaptable. DevOps allows businesses to scale their performance to new heights. Everything becomes more analytical with DevOps services, and everyone has access to the same information. As a result of these services, business processes are much better described and managed.
DevOps Strengthens a Product’s Purpose:
DevOps helps organizations by giving a better understanding of products and ways through which you can improve them. Because I do not believe software will last for years if developers do not know about the product, its capabilities, chances of success, its expiration date, cons, and much more. Creating a good and clear product or software requires integrating operations staff, developers, toolsets, and business management systems within one platform.
Disadvantages of DevOps – The Dark Side
Experienced Developers Shortage:
The concept of DevOps came to light in 2009, which is not a long time ago; therefore, there is a significant shortage of experienced developers and operations teams. Since the emergence of DevOps, its importance and popularity has skyrocketed, which has led to an increase in deficits. As a result of its popularity and the lack of high-quality developers and management systems, many small companies hire employees with less experience. However, companies like Amazon, HP, Etsy, and Sony Pictures Entertainment can afford and find experienced people because they have value.
Complexity makes Management Difficult:
Since software development is not an easy endeavor, it requires hard work, experienced individuals, and various tools. DevOps is therefore capable of making the entire process extremely complex, making it difficult to manage and troubleshoot.
In addition, it becomes more challenging for small businesses due to the lack of resources and the inability to invest in experts, hardware, and additional software. Software development involves the passage of all these steps, including Requirements, Design, Implementation, Verification, and Maintenance, each presenting a unique set of challenges. Therefore, these factors make it a more challenging task, but they are not a problem if you have the guts to do it.
Techniques Need to be Customized:
What does this mean? This suggests that DevOps has not yet become an industry-wide standard. Since it started growing in 2009, it is not an old set of techniques; industry-wide standardization will take time.
However, companies have to take action here. They must develop their own customized processes and toolsets. Yes, they must; however, it will take time and money because you will have to hire someone or outsource it, which will be highly costly.
It leads to an Increase in Spending:
Every company wants to save money for its optimization and for investing in new innovations. But DevOps deployment can increase the overall IT expenses of the organizations. How? Because organizations need to search high professionals, developers, and operations teams for which they will have to pay a lot.
In addition to this, during the making of software, organizations will require extra hardware and software, which they will buy from others. They will require semiconductor chips and much more, which are all costly. However, after they have produced software, it needs to be handled properly to remain long-lasting. If this is not done, then the software will be damaged, and you will need to invest in new software.
My Opinion about the Advantages and Disadvantages of DevOps:
As I explained above, DevOps does not come without its problems; it has several issues that I have listed above. Nevertheless, DevOps is becoming more popular every day, so it will be great if you can overcome some of its disadvantages with your skills. Other than that, DevOps is the best practice for software development. Minor issues occur everywhere and must be tolerated.
With that said, now let’s move forward!
How to Develop a Dedicated DevOps Team?
Creating an environment where all employees or team members work effortlessly is challenging and most important.
However, you can achieve it easily by following the below points:
- Hiring experts: DevOps professionals are the ones you need to hire if you want to succeed.
- Regulations and Rules: The organization should have a set of rules and regulations that must be followed.
- Be Friendly: If you want the team members to share innovative ideas, then you don’t have to be strict; instead, you shouldn’t be too strict.
- Use the proper techniques: In addition, it is imperative to use the right tools and techniques in order to achieve success.
- Proper planning: You must develop a complete schedule and plan.
- Training the team: It is necessary to train your employees regularly.
- Quality: The team should be guided to follow quality standards.
- Automation system: For your professionals to be able to work on innovation and new ideas, you need an enhanced automation system.
- Be aware of failures: It is essential to be aware of failures and unwanted aspects of the development process.
- Be Honest: Finally, you should always be honest with yourself, your employees, and your clients.
Finally, let me Summarize:
DevOps has helped many organizations to scale their work by providing top-of-the-line software in a quicker time without compromising on quality. But it doesn’t mean it will not have downsides, and it does have both advantages and disadvantages, which I have explained in this article. I found it my duty to inform the readers about the cons of DevOps because most people only explain the pros.
So take the time, and read each point so that it clears your perspective on DevOps.
I would appreciate it if you would let us know if you found anything controversial or false in the comments section. We would welcome any feedback you may have. For more check the homepage
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the most common problem with DevOps?
In my opinion, the biggest issue is expenses because developing software requires engineers, IT experts, tools, etc., which all cost a lot of money that smaller companies cannot afford to pay regularly.
What is an essential advantage of DevOps?
The first more considerable merit of DevOps is faster product development because it is an environment where developers, IT technicians, business management, and tools all work together in a controlled environment, resulting in more efficient delivery times.
What should I do if DevOps has Disadvantages?
You don’t need to go anywhere. DevOps remains the king of techniques that every organization should implement. DevOps has many disadvantages, including being costly, time-consuming, and requiring professional expertise. Nevertheless, if you can overcome these challenges, then you should be able to proceed.
