Having a high-performing DevOps team can mean the difference between leading the pack or lagging behind. DevOps, which unifies development and operations, is a methodology that aims to streamline the process of software development. Leveraging the full potential of this popular IT methodology requires a highly effective team. However, building a high-performing DevOps team can be a complex process, and there are various factors to consider. So, where do you start? This article details how to build a highly effective DevOps team.
How to Build a Thriving DevOps Team
DevOps teams are cross-functional, usually consisting of DevOps engineers, software developers, QA engineers, IT operations managers, security engineers, system engineers and database administrators. With 46 per cent of organisations being relatively new to DevOps, building a high-performing team is a key priority for many businesses. But building a successful DevOps team is not only about finding individuals with the right skill set. Here are seven ways to build a successful DevOps team:
Retention matters as much as recruitment
Before embarking on a recruitment spree to expand a DevOps team, it’s vital to keep in mind that retention is as important as recruitment. The cost of onboarding new employees is high. Costs include recruiting agency fees, advertising costs, time spent interviewing candidates, and the time spent onboarding and training new employees. For example, using a recruitment agency to find suitable team members may cost you between 15 and 25 per cent of the successful candidates’ base salary.
As a result, retaining and training existing employees is typically more cost-effective than recruiting new team members. Existing team members understand the company culture and processes, meaning they are likely more productive than new starters. However, this does not mean that recruitment should be neglected. A blend of existing and new team members can provide a balance between those familiar with the organisation and fresh perspectives from new starters.
2. The importance of team structure
In the complex world of IT, team structure can be a determining factor in its overall success. Traditional hierarchical structures, where each team member has a defined role with specific responsibilities and there is a rigid chain of command, may not operate effectively in a fast-paced environment. Cross-functional teams, comprised of individuals with different skill sets who work together towards a common goal, are typically a better fit for IT.
One of the main benefits of a cross-functional DevOps team is the diversity of perspectives and skill sets it brings together. Each team member brings with them unique expertise and viewpoints, enabling the team to tackle complex problems collaboratively. But that’s not all—cross-functional teams are typically more agile, responding to changes in the ever-evolving IT landscape.
3. The two-pizza team rule
A good team is collaborative, and collaboration is much easier in a smaller team. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, said: “We try to create teams that are no larger than can be fed by two pizzas… we call that the two-pizza team rule.” Essentially, if you can’t feed your team with two pizzas, it’s probably too big.
Software releases are moving faster than ever, and a team’s ability to deliver software quickly is a differentiating factor against your organisation’s competition. It’s important to remember that building a highly effective team doesn’t necessarily mean hiring dozens of people. Keeping teams small enhances collaboration and agility by fostering connections between members, allowing for smooth communication and faster decision-making.
4. Promote a culture of learning
Employees want to work for organisations that value learning. But it’s not just about providing training programs—it’s about creating an environment where learning and curiosity are encouraged. There are numerous ways to promote a culture of learning.
For instance, encouraging continuous learning through workshops, webinars, and conferences can help keep team members updated on the latest industry trends and technological advancements. Offering regular constructive feedback, creating opportunities for mentoring and acknowledging team members for expanding their knowledge are great ways to promote a culture of learning.
5. Use the right DevOps tools to support the team
Using the right tools can significantly increase the efficiency of a DevOps team. There are a wide variety of tools to choose from, including version control, continuous integration, configuration management, containerisation and monitoring, altering and incident response tools. DevOps tools such as GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, Bitbucket Pipelines, Ansible, Chef, Kubernetes, Docker, the Elastic Stack, Prometheus and PagerDuty are all powerful tools that can support your team’s hard work. Utilising DevOps tools will significantly improve software development and the deployment process that are crucial to your operations.
6. Measure and monitor progress
Without clear metrics and progress monitoring, it’s difficult to know if the team is performing optimally. Successful teams measure their performance regarding software delivery speed, stability and reliability, among other key performance indicators (KPIs). Metrics such as deployment frequency, lead time for changes, change failure rate, and the time it takes to restore service can give DevOps teams a clear picture of their overall effectiveness.
7. Create a positive culture
Ultimately, a thriving workplace has a positive culture. DevOps teams can only reach their full potential when they work in an environment that nurtures a culture of autonomy, allowing team members to take ownership of their tasks. This sense of independence, however, should be balanced with checks and balances that ensure high work quality.
In addition, sharing knowledge and fostering cross-functional understanding is vital. For example, implementing Lunch and Learn sessions helps teams better understand critical business processes and technologies. Similarly, maintaining clear and comprehensive documentation is a must. When necessary, every department should be able to understand the operations of other departments at a high level. For instance, Team B should have the means to access and understand the documentation of Team A and C. This interdepartmental transparency promotes informed decision-making and helps teams accommodate each other’s processes in their operations, particularly when decisions are interdependent.
The role of leadership is central to creating a positive workplace and, as a result, a highly effective DevOps team. Leaders should cultivate an environment where feedback is welcomed and respected, paving the way for continuous improvement across the organisation. Positive workplace culture can be further reinforced by assigning mentors to new hires to ensure they feel guided and supported at all times. Mentors can also monitor progress without the pressure of formal performance reviews.
While these suggestions can foster a positive workplace culture, they should be adapted to each company's unique characteristics and needs. By testing strategies, businesses can identify what works best for them and what they can maintain over time to keep employees engaged and motivated.
Final Thoughts
Building a highly effective DevOps team does not have a one-size-fits-all approach. However, there are steps you can take to set your DevOps team up for success. You need to find the right balance between hiring new talent and retaining existing employees, promoting a culture of learning, using the right DevOps tools and measuring performance to ensure the team is operating optimally. But ultimately, fostering a positive culture distinguishes highly effective DevOps teams from less effective teams. By focusing on these areas, you can create a collaborative, agile and innovative team that consistently delivers high-quality software at pace.