Read More
Quick Summary: DevOps and Agile are software development methodologies focused on speed and efficiency. While they share similarities, they also have distinct features. But what does each methodology define? Can they work together? Which one is better: DevOps or Agile? Discover the answers in our "DevOps vs. Agile" blog.
DevOps is booming in the software development industry for some time now. DevOps and Agile are two software development methodologies that help developers offer an end product quickly and efficiently. But in spite of its increasing popularity in the market, there is often some confusion between the two. Many organizations are planning to deploy these methods. But now, questions arise – what does each methodology encompass? And how do Agile and DevOps interrelate?
Another question we face is – can any organization work on both DevOps and Agile methodologies together? Should you choose one over the other? Well, the comparison between DevOps vs Agile is a never-ending debate. So, if you want to understand the basic information along with the comparison, you have landed on the right page.
Here, in this blog, we are going to cover the difference between DevOps and Agile methodology. But, before moving further, let us walk through the basic information.
Development and Operations – that’s what makes a DevOps. As the name suggests, DevOps aims to bring software developers and information technology operatives together to deploy the software in a quick, automated, and repeatable way. It allows a developer's team to operate all the software development lifecycle activities – from development to testing, deployment, and operations. So, when you hire DevOps engineers from Radixweb, you can leverage all the features and benefits that DevOps offers.
DevOps ties the team of software developers, QA engineers, and system administrators together. Also, it allows companies to fulfill their customer’s desires in a better manner. However, it also represents the method of development and IT operations with effective collaboration and communication.
However, different types of DevOps tools are required at every stage of the software development process. Therefore, DevOps has become the most valuable operation in any organization to get the best quality and speed for application delivery.
DevOps has brought changes to the IT industry. DevOps implementation aims to deliver a rapid software development service by adopting agile practices in a system-oriented approach.
Choose DevOps as an Ideal Approach for Large-scale Projects with Rapid Deployment
Implement DevOps Now
Because of many advantages, many companies are transitioning to DevOps. But, well, we cannot understand the new culture without understanding its fundamental values.
Here are the following principles that steer the engineering process.
Version Control
In this model, all the code gets verified before submitting to the repository by the developers. Therefore, other developers can also track and analyze changes for better collaboration.
Continuous Integration
Daily, every developer integrates their code in a shared repository. They bifurcate the work into small parts. It helps them to manage the small code, identify bugs, and detect potential merge conflicts.
Read More: Why and How of DevOps Integration in Software Development
Continuous Delivery
Since the code is constantly integrated, it’s consistently delivered to the customer. Furthermore, through the smaller contribution, you can release the software update promptly. This gives better customer satisfaction.
Continuous Deployment
DevOps automation helps you enhance the speed of development. In addition, the continuous deployment will automate the release of minor updates that don’t represent a substantial threat to the present architecture.
Continuous Testing
DevOps focuses on continuous testing in every step of development. As a result, you will have valuable feedback with automated testing.
Continuous Operations
DevOps developers are always working hard for better modification and updating of software with a new release. Therefore, you have to analyze and monitor DevOps for better performance. Its primary goal is to prevent downtime and issues during code release.
Collaboration
DevOps is famous for its foster collaboration and feedback sharing. Therefore, Development and Operations need to communicate and share feedback to streamline the efficiency of DevOps.
DevOps has been a revolutionary philosophy to apply in software development. Many big giants like Amazon, Walmart, Netflix, Adobe, and Sony Pictures have been leveraging DevOps methodology for many years to automate all of their processes. In addition, it increases the collaboration between the developers and other teams.
Even small startups like Ola, Groffers, and Flipkart are implementing DevOps into their whole lifecycle to improve the quality of their products. Once you implement the DevOps method in your organization, the whole quality of the product increases, and cost-efficiency also increases.
Agile methodology focuses on the constant iteration of testing and development in the software development process. Moreover, its main goal is to have a collaborative approach and rapid release of software development.
Having said this earlier, unlike the waterfall model, development and testing iteration happens. However, its main focus is to have an evolutionary, iterative, and incremental development process.
While talking about the difference between Agile vs Waterfall methodology, the agile model was born in place of an alternative to the traditional waterfall methodology. In this model, the products are divided into smaller pieces. Then, they get integrated for final testing. However, we can implement it differently, such as Kanban, XP, Scrum, etc.
When it comes to Agile methodology, Agile software developers adhere to the values and core principles defined by Agile Manifesto that was written and signed by software development leaders in 2001.
The Agile method focuses on the following core values to manage an Agile software development project:
Individual and team interactions over the process and tools
The core value of the agile method focuses on the importance of valuing everyone in the team and stimulating the work environment. Also, it encourages continuous communication between team members, so everyone remains on the same page of the development process to maximize efficiency.
Working software over comprehensive documentation
Documentation can’t be taken at the time of software delivery. However, gone are the days when detailed documentation of the requirements and desired end-product was given at the beginning of software development. Now, agile has eliminated the time of document creation. Thus, it makes an agile method much smoother and easier.
Responding to change over following a plan
Agile has led the mid-product to adapt to the changes for overall success. Well, embracing new features by adapting to changes is the prominent difference between agile and waterfall.
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
A continuous software development process leads to a collaborative approach with the consumer regularly. Getting immediate feedback from them will give you an idea and the best results for your product. Through this value, we can avoid contract negotiation with the customer before the development takes place.
The impact of Agile methodology leads to deliver a quality of the product. In addition, it encourages developers with the right approach, thus enabling them to commit their efforts to the right project objectives.
Agile Statistics 2023 shows that even the Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, IBM, and P&G have seen a wave of increases in their profits and efficiency after implementing Agile methodology. For instance, Cisco adopted Agile only to witness a 40% reduction in defects, thereby cutting losses and adding up on profits.
By embracing the Agile framework for software development, we can conclude that your organizations can leverage various benefits like better quality, fast software delivery, better customer satisfaction, risk mitigation, and many more.
Employ an Agile Approach for Continued Improvement Without Compromising on Time and Resources
Choose Agile Software Development
While talking about Agile and DevOps differences, they follow different approaches to software development. Furthermore, they are involved in different departments, groups, and production structure.
So, if we pay more attention to DevOps and Agile, they are not entirely similar. And following are the significant differences they have:
DevOps | Agile | |
---|---|---|
Definition | DevOps brings the development and operations team together. | Agile focuses on the continuous iterative approach with customer feedback, effective collaboration, small and rapid releases. |
Goal | It manages the end-to-end development process. | It manages complex projects. |
Task | It focuses on constant testing and delivery. | It focuses on constant changes. |
Team Size | A large team size – all the stack holders. | It consists of a small team. |
Team Skillset | Divides and spreads the skillset between the team of developers and operations. | Everyone has similar and equal skills. |
Implementation | It offers a collaborative approach as such doesn’t have any framework. | It has many frameworks – safe, scrum, Lean, and sprint |
Delivery | It provides continuous delivery daily or every few hours. | It provides incremental deployments after each sprint. |
Documentation | Very light documentation | Sufficient documentation for better team collaboration |
Focuses | Operational and business readiness | Functional and non-functional readiness |
Importance | Development, testing, and implementation are equally important. | Developing software is inherent to Agile. |
Quality and Risk | High-quality products with low risk due to automated testing and collaboration. | Product quality increases while the risk decreases after every sprint. |
Popular Tools Used | TeamCity, Docker, GitLab, Puppet, Chef, AWS, Ansible | Bugzilla, Kanboard, Active Collab, Slack, Trello, and JIRA |
Automation | The primary goal of DevOps is automation. | Agile does not emphasize on automation. |
Feedback | Focuses on internal feedback to improve and enhance delivery. | Focuses on customer feedback and adjusts the product accordingly. |
In the last decade, many organizations have begun merging Agile and DevOps to get a higher user satisfaction rate, enhance delivery, and effective collaboration within a team.
You need to change your existing strategies and attitudes to combine DevOps and agile practices.
Proper Understanding
The team members have to understand each other’s tasks while implementing the agile methodology. However, Scrum Masters, Project Managers, and Product Owners must have a better mutual understanding. Therefore, they have to know every required development step to manage a project.
Effective Collaboration
Since every team member is involved with the operations team, they all have to understand every development process and operations phase.
DevOps Practices in Sprints
Now, the team needs to integrate DevOps while practicing sprints. That allows the whole DevOps team to be involved in planning, retrospections, and daily meetings.
Automate Workflow
An integral part of DevOps development – automation should be part of an agile workflow and project planning. Artificial Intelligence – AIOps is used to automate manual workflows.
Measure Success
It assesses and measures the KPIs and key DevOps metrics within end-to-end development.
Implement Digital Transformation in your Business Ecosystem by Leveraging the Benefits of Agile DevOps
Connect with Digital Transformation Experts
Now the question is - how is DevOps different from Agile? Well, in many ways, DevOps stands out as a mature development approach. Both methodologies define the reaction to the separated-out waterfall style of development. The idea of “shifting left” refers to both disciplines, in which practices associated with later parts of a waterfall process are considered at the previous stage in an agile or DevOps process.
Besides, DevOps moves faster and has a different audience. As a result, you will find a significant difference in scale, audience, and how teams are structured. Generally, the Agile method is used for problem-solving within smaller teams. On the other hand, DevOps works throughout departments to solve bigger goals and objectives promptly.
In a nutshell, DevOps collaborates with two large teams to work together for quick software deployment. At the same time, Agile focuses on getting smaller teams to have an effective collaboration for ever-changing customer needs.
For example, DevOps focuses on process automation using infrastructure as a code tool. On the other hand, agile relies on a collaborative approach to solve problems.
The relationship between Agile and DevOps is not similar as you think. You will encounter several common misconceptions when you plan to evaluate DevOps and Agile methodology together or independently. Let’s look at some of them about DevOps and Agile:
Misconception #1: Agile and DevOps are Synonyms
The most common misconception about DevOps and Agile we might have heard is they are similar. That means they can be used alternatively and are synonymous.
In a nutshell, the primary goal of Agile and DevOps is to enhance the outcome and operations of the company. However, they are not called synonyms.
Agile is an iterative approach that breaks down difficult jobs into sprints, which becomes easy to manage chunks. Moreover, the company comes with a timeframe for completing these tasks. As a result, the business can analyze the process and address problems quickly.
On the other hand, DevOps is a methodology that collaborates the developers and operations together and makes way for open communication within the organization.
Misconception #2: Agile and DevOps are Tools to be Purchased
DevOps and Agile are not tools or technologies to be purchased. You will not find any workbook, process, or toolset that helps you adopt these methodologies. Moreover, each of these techniques represents a major revolution in how services are delivered, and they must be adopted entirely to be successful.
Additionally, this transition affects both technical and non-technical professions equally.
Misconception #3: DevOps Requires Agile
The primary goal of DevOps is faster software delivery, which you can consider the same scenario with Agile. In fact, many organizations adopt an Agile software development approach for continuous integration and deployment. However, DevOps is not dependent on agile.
Misconception #4: Agile and DevOps can be used as Alternatives
Another misconception about Agile and DevOps is that organizations may use DevOps instead of Agile methodology. And again, this assumption is totally false.
DevOps and Agile methodologies ultimately aim to significantly improve the value of the business's existing operations. Companies need to be aware that the applications of these technologies vary; this does not imply that employing them separately will produce beneficial results.
Businesses must employ distinct implementation methodologies to implement Agile and DevOps because they have different goals. The firms must combine Agile and DevOps to achieve their intended goal.
Optimize Your Project Delivery Process with the Power of Agile Transformation
Let’s Begin
Both DevOps and Agile have profound cultural approaches within an organization, while Agile doesn’t necessarily lead to DevOps.
Agile methodology focuses on changes in the software development process. It promotes small, manageable changes quickly that lead to large change. Many organizations have implemented the workflow of Agile methodology to boost many departments. Therefore, many enterprises consider themselves fully Agile today!
On the other hand, DevOps can also bring its cultural value within an organization, including effective communication and balancing stability with modification and flexibility.
Many experts believe that choosing both Agile and DevOps methodologies can lead to more rational decision-making. This leads to enhancing the company culture.
As we know, both Agile and DevOps models can increase software quality and speed up its delivery. While talking about three popular methodologies - Waterfall vs Agile vs DevOps, the old-school waterfall model was replaced by the Agile model. But yet to be found a replacement for DevOps.
DevOps exists because of agile. Therefore, your organization can choose and practice both methodologies.
Improve Software Development and Lead to Better Products with Agile and DevOps Practices
Let’s Help You Improve
The agile method reveals – “Agile is always ready to adapt to new changes, even late in the development process. Agile processes harness change for the competitive gain of consumers.”
Constant delivery mainly maps to the agile approach. Therefore, its primary goal is to stand up to customers' expectations through early and continuous delivery of the valuable product.
Agile methodology is all about embracing changes than standups and sprint planning. However, there are more principles in the Agile Manifesto. So, rather than choosing among the core values or principles, you should consider it a whole object to managing Agile software development projects. This whole methodology defines the approach and attitude towards change similar to DevOps and Agile methods.
How Can Organization Implement an Agile Method to DevOps?Finally, Agile and DevOps can work seamlessly together. But you must have a better understanding of the relationship between speed and quality. And this may vary as per every organization.You should know what problems will be solved by implementing a particular method and then tailor your efforts to those problems. Otherwise, you will fail at every step of the software development. Hence, before making a final decision, partner with a highly efficient partner offering DevOps Consulting Services and analyze the major difference between Agile and DevOps.Working with an experienced software development services provider – Radixweb can help get you there! Of course, only your organization will fill the gap between your DevOps-friendly culture and agile teams. But having a helping hand to do the cultural work can maximize your technical capabilities.
Darshil Kansara works as a Software Engineer, specializing in DevOps, DevSecOps, and other innovative cloud technologies. He is also professionally certified with AZ-400, AZ-204, and AZ-900. He is a motivated learner with a focus on creating seamless software integration, automation, and deployment.
Ready to brush up on something new? We've got more to read right this way.