top of page

Combining Agile and DevOps: Unlocking Synergies for Superior Software Delivery in 2024


DevOps and Agile

DevOps and Agile are two diverse methods of project management, and software development and delivery with varying approaches to how they get things done. These methods are both very effective and are two of the most commonly used. According to a survey from Statista, over 47% of development teams use DevOps to build their software while about 37% use the Agile route.


But despite their differences, have you thought of how much more can be done with the relationship between DevOps and Agile? Have you ever thought about the amount of efficiency and productivity that can be achieved when the Agile team and DevOps team come together to form a Cross-functional team?


Well, we have, and we will be telling you all about it in this article. But before we get into that, let's take a proper look at what DevOps and Agile are. 


DevOps and Agile are two diverse methods of project management, and software development and delivery with varying approaches to how they get things done. These methods are both very effective and are two of the most commonly used. According to a survey from Statista, over 47% of development teams use DevOps to build their software while about 37% use the Agile route.


But despite their differences, have you thought of how much more can be done with the relationship between DevOps and Agile? Have you ever thought about the amount of efficiency and productivity that can be achieved when the Agile team and DevOps team come together to form a Cross-functional team?


Well, we have, and we will be telling you all about it in this article. But before we get into that, let's take a proper look at what DevOps and Agile are. 


DevOps


DevOps and Agile

DevOps is a combination of two words Development and Operations. True to its name, it effectively handles the production of software and also its operations and delivery.

Interestingly, stats released by DevOps in 2016 showed that 74% of companies used it in their processes. With the way its popularity and adoption are increasing remarkably, studies show that it has the potential of reaching $12.58 billion in the market by 2025.


This ever-increasing popularity and adoption are all thanks to how efficient it is in innovation, the satisfaction of customers, and how reliable and top-quality its services are.  In addition to that, DevOps cuts down the time required to develop a system by 60% and provides a platform that enables you to quickly support and respond to your customers in case of an emergency incident. 


Another remarkable feature of DevOps is how it facilitates collaboration between team members and empowers them to work towards a common goal instead of individual goals. This enables the sharing of ideas and hence boosts productivity and innovation.


Agile


DevOps and Agile

Agile is a software development and project management methodology that was made with majorly customer satisfaction in mind. Every feature in it is created to give the customer a great experience. 


Unlike DevOps, Agile breaks its development processes into small releases and delivery that will make it easy for you to receive feedback and make changes to it when needed. This way, whenever you want to update and add more value to your software, it won't be stressful and will take less time.


However, because Agile's releases are done in small components, its software release and delivery speed is slower than that of DevOps which develops in bulk. Nevertheless, the software delivery speed of the former is still faster than most of the traditional approaches. 


Bear in mind that the breaking down of releases into small bits is a plus and not a minus. It has a lot of benefits attached to it. As we mentioned earlier, it makes it flexible and responsive to change, unlike other approaches that follow a rigid plan. Also, by doing so, teams can get feedback from customers based on their experiences and then take them into account and know the areas they need to improve on. 


In addition to that, communication is made seamless among team members and also other staff. This is very important for the success of whatever project the Software Development or IT team is working on. One tool that portrays Agile's capabilities to the fullest is Jira.


Using Jira and the Relationship Between DevOps and Agile

Jira and DevOps practices can work together effectively. DevOps focuses on rapid software development and deployment, while Jira facilitates quick collection of end-user feedback. This combination allows development teams to efficiently gather user input and make improvements to the software. The result is a process that can lead to better alignment between the software and customer needs.


Jira is a project management tool designed to enhance Agile development processes. It helps teams create well-defined user stories, manage sprint cycles effectively, and maintain focus on assigned tasks. This software serves as a valuable resource for Agile teams, supporting their project management needs and improving overall efficiency.


Jira offers several key features to improve project management:

  • User Story Management: Jira provides digital tools for creating and managing user stories. This ensures all team members have access to clear descriptions of customer requirements, which can be easily tracked throughout the development process. This approach reduces ambiguity and improves understanding of project goals.

  • Sprint Planning: Jira simplifies the sprint planning process. It allows teams to define goals, allocate tasks, and monitor progress in real-time through its interface. This functionality helps make sprints more predictable, efficient, and achievable.

  • Task Management: Jira enables effective task management. Team members can assign tasks, set priorities and due dates, and visually track progress. This feature promotes accountability and helps ensure all tasks are completed. It aids in keeping projects on schedule and meeting deadlines.

Jira's impact goes beyond these core features. It fosters seamless communication within your Agile team, allowing everyone to collaborate effortlessly. Plus, its reporting capabilities provide valuable insights to help you continuously improve your Agile workflow.


The combination of DevOps and Agile will also help break down complex projects into smaller units that will be easier to test and manage. 


Conclusion

Agile and DevOps are two very effective software development methods, and by interrelating them and turning their independent teams into one cross-functional team, you can achieve much more. Saving time and money, automating delivery processes, and quicker and more reliable production of top-notch software are just some of the benefits you can enjoy from this collaboration. 


By embracing this integrated approach and leveraging tools like Jira Software, you're not just improving your development process – you're positioning your organisation at the forefront of software innovation. Leap today and experience the transformative power of Agile and DevOps working in harmony.


Comments


bottom of page