I appreciate this is controversial for the diehard DevOps guys, but fully automated serverless Infrastructure-As-Code (IAC) with Continuous Integration/Testing/Delivery (or Deployment) (CI/CT/CD) platforms (or pipelines) may not always be the best solution. Before deciding that DevOps is the right path for your business you should specify some objectives. What can DevOps do for your business?

Embracing DevOps is a business decision, it is not just technology decision. It’s not something Steve can turn on next time he is in the datacenter. You don’t get DevOps as part of a ‘lift and shift’ migration to the cloud. You cannot go to McCloud and order a large cloud meal with a side of DevOps. A business cannot dip its toe in. You need to put on your sunscreen, goggles and floaties then expect to drown anyway.

The value proposition of automation is different for every scenario and each business needs to find the right level of automation tooling for their requirements. The thing that DevOps Engineers need to interpret and assess on behalf of the business is where and how much automation to apply.

In the old days, sysadmins assessed this decision nearly 100% on the time saving aspect. DevOps engineers consider aspects and benefits such as consistency, auditability & repeatability.

For software developers and technology service providers, the value proposition of automation is very strong. The proposition is similar for enterprise with large internal IT teams who develop and manage their own in-house applications. For businesses that do not develop and maintain their own applications and have small internal technology teams, the proposition becomes more complex because the DevOps lifecycle depends heavily on the support and maintenance arrangements with the external suppliers.

SaaS platforms give functionality and value directly to business with little administrative or technical overhead enabling businesses to focus on their core function. Automation tooling needs to be assessed in a similar way:

  • What functionality or value is it giving to the business?
  • Where is the return on investment?
  • Are there features of IAC or CI/CT/CD that the business needs?
  • Will automated infrastructure reduce operational or running costs?
  • How regular do deployments need to be for the business to see value?
  • What governance requirements does infrastructure auditability help the business meet?
  • What good is consistency across environments if there is only production?

The fully automated serverless IAC with a full CI/CT/CD platform may be the best solution from a technology perspective, but it might be excessive if the business requirement is only a static website with no server-side code. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach for IT infrastructure. The true value for a business comes when technology solutions merge with business processes and requirements.

There is a reason why an AWS Well-Architected Review requires input from stakeholders across the business, not just the technology team. The potential for IT solutions to give the maximum value to a business can only be achieved when the solutions are designed and implemented as part of the overall business strategy. However, there are also occasions where what the business requires is a simple website for a two-week long advertising campaign. Maximising efficiency and value for money in regard to technology is about providing solutions that are fit for purpose and delivered on time.

Take the moment to understand the technology requirements of your business and how they relate to the overall business strategy. How can DevOps help your business achieve its strategic goals?