Delivering DevOps services - A services practice management view point
I loved the concept of X-Men series in which a team is made up of specific skilled individuals and orchestrated for a great result. I see a great resemblance of DevOps teams that requires specific skilled consultants to be working as a great team.
Below are my views points on running a DevOps consulting and implementation services practice to provide great value to the customer and earn green $$$ to the business.
- Providing DevOps solution is not just a simple resource augmentation business. Its a vast topic and if not dealt well, will leave unhappy customer and huge dent in the engagement profitability.
- Front ending services sales teams have to understand various aspects of DevOps at high level and involve architects from the beginning with client for identifying the real problem statement or the ask. Training front ending services sales teams on the DevOps service offering is key.
- Be cognizant about the fact that DevOps can't be implemented by just one individual (or specific skill) and requires orchestration of multiple skills across various facets. Have a strategy to build DevOps consulting team combining skilled point solution consultants. May be one could engage Mr. Bond - James Bond :-).
- Be practical on the promises to the client on the timelines, budget and people availability for implementing DevOps, especially when its a large transformation. Availability of right skilled consultants for right duration at right time is key dependency that effects timelines, quality of delivery and engagement profitability.
- Its absolutely fine to accept that there is no end to end (100%) DevOps case study but show the confidence with solutions across individual areas and the ability to orchestrate a overall solution.
- Spend time in workshops with customers to identify the ask rather than bundles of DevOps theory which can easily be googled. An hour of white boarding/conversation by a strong architect with customer stands 10 times better chance than a colorful PPT with loads of data.
- DevOps is not just about tools implementation but about transforming organization teaming culture and process. Focus on evolving good number of techie consultants in to transformation coaches who can drive better adoption.
- Upgrade right skilled consultants with great attitude by investing on latest tools and technologies in the market. Every consultant, while working on specific focused peace as part of DevOps has to have a complete over view and vision. Invest on trainings that help them understand the bigger picture.
Excellent points, Sasi. #6 hits the spot. Had a client couple of years back where we spent a few sessions across 3days meant targeting what they really need and managed to cut down on unnecessary efforts.
Good Article Sasi Kanth Vallem. The problem I see is that Org's don't realize that they can start their DevOps journey without implementing any DevOps Tools. There is too much focus on the Tools part without seeing the bigger picture
Good article on Devops Implementation
very good points on Devops. straight forward points
Nice read and points well narrated. DevOps is more like an orchestration of thoughts, mindset and focus towards flow, feedback, automation and continuous learning/improvement.