A Development Operations manager or, simply, DevOps, uses a collaborative approach to business that can have great benefits for the organization. For those who are considering taking on this role, here are four great reasons to pursue this strategy in your future career.
Defining DevOps
This term “DevOps” refers to a combination of:
- Development
- Operations
It represents a long-term working relationship between two teams that were formerly separated. Applying DevOps to manufacturing and production environments daily can have many benefits.
Ultimately, DevOps has, at its core, the lean principles. DevOps has the same goals of lean to:
- Eliminate waste
- Improve speed
- Boost delivery quality
- Breaking down silos
- Create more value in processes
By applying a DevOps strategy effectively, a business can prevent rework of products near the end of the production cycle because of errors, as well as combating over-production issues. Essentially, it is eliminating obstacles and “cutting out the fat” regarding the steps involved in taking a product from design through to end delivery to the customer.
Furthermore, lean is about constantly improving the organization from within and improving its culture. Lean is a key concept you can expect to learn in an operations management curriculum like the one at Kettering University.
1. Better Cooperation
As earlier mentioned, DevOps is a collaborative method for teams. It revolutionizes how different departmental teams within an organization work together.
Why is working together important? A key reason is to meet the shared objectives of the business. Development Operations helps prevent teams from feeling like they are in isolation and instead positions them to work toward the organization’s overarching goals.
Breaking down gaps in communication between teams is vital in many ways, including:
- Motivating people to come together to problem-solve
- Innovation regarding the company’s product offerings
- Preventing resentment between teams previously in silos
The result can be a new product line, advanced features for existing goods, and more. To get the skills and knowledge base to have this positive impact as a DevOps manager, consider taking the specialized program from Kettering University Online.
Among the rewards of this role is seeing employees enjoying getting out of their own department and helping others. Stretching their abilities and providing a challenge is never a bad thing!
2. Innovation
While not everyone associates DevOps with innovation, it is certainly a benefit. When teams get together to brainstorm, they can create a new product or service, or a different way of doing a core process.
In many cases, the innovation can be more efficient than the older process. Over time, processes can become outdated, especially as the employee base grows or product demand increases.
Coming up with new solutions is a way to keep advancing the business forward and meeting the changing needs of customers. All of this is done using lean techniques, which are vital in preventing problems for a low-risk strategy.
3. Customer Appreciation
As these brainstorming sessions happen, if they are done effectively, then the results can be an improvement in the customer experience. Providing better customer service than before is a definite benefit of a DevOps strategy.
As for why customer service matters, it not only brings new buyers your way but also keeps them loyal too. Those dollars they spend are what keeps a business going. Furthermore, if people do not feel that they are being valued by the organization, then they will take their business elsewhere.
Ideally, the experience you provide to your customers is:
- Friendly
- Welcoming
- Attentive
Also, make time to handle any customer complaints that come up. By providing a service-laden response, you can still win back a buyer. Plus, complaints help you do things better then next time around, whether that is improving the product or how your business communicates with the public.
4. Automation
A large part of manufacturing today is automation, and that applies to more than just the factory area. An effective DevOps strategy uses automation in many other areas, such as human resources and accounting.
Using automated solutions for activities that would normally take a lot of time can significantly shorten its duration, which enables workers to attend to other tasks. Making better use of their days provides them with self-satisfaction, and motivated employees can help drive the business forward.
Plus, taking less time to do work increases the overall efficiency of an organization, no matter what sector it is. By reducing waste, a DevOps team can make more profits for the business, helping to ensure its success.
In addition to starting to automate processes, it’s also vital to measure progress. That way, you can see what is necessary, what is working, where employees need education and more.
As well as identifying areas to implement automation, also examine how your teams function daily to ensure that they are working in the best ways possible. You may find that other areas of the organization need improvement too.
Improvements with DevOps
Developing a DevOps strategy in industrial environments has the potential to provide the four benefits. To be most effective, start small to get employees used to the new tasks and then slowly build up to where you incorporate the method.
Doing things this way makes more sense than giving your whole business an overhaul as the adjustment period takes time. Employees must
- Get comfortable with new ways of doing their jobs
- Learn how to apply automation within their workday
DevOps represents a different way of looking at the business as a whole and its components. Essentially, you are vital in creating a new and improved company culture. As a DevOps manager, you can look forward to helping businesses make the modern mindset to collaboration and innovation.
Understanding the core operations of a business and how to improve them makes for an exciting career. Watch organizations grow, with teams sharing new knowledge with each other, using your suggestions for smarter work processes.
The strategy you implement will be based largely on what you’ve learned in school and experience. Take organizations further and feel good about helping benefit the economy while doing so.
