Since its conception, DevOps’ innovative methodology and particular approach have been contrasted with the practices proposed by ITIL. However, despite what many people might believe, DevOps’ goal is far from being to displace this or any other ITSM framework. On the contrary, we can affirm that with the right orientation, ITIL and DevOps can become the ideal combination to enhance the service delivery of any organization.
Learn a little more about the benefits of combining ITIL and DevOps, and use their differences in your favor to address business transformation in a more efficient way.
ITIL and DevOps: Completely opposite?
For some time now, organizations around the world have chosen ITIL best practices; to help them improve the quality of services they offer their customers. However, new business requirements have promoted the search for methodologies; aimed at increasing the speed of the processes and products generated in companies. As a result of this search, DevOps is born.
What DevOps proposes
DevOps is a philosophy designed to reduce the organizational friction between Devs (developers, responsible for the development of the information system) and Ops (operators, responsible for the operation of existing applications). Its main objective is to increase the speed and quality in the production of applications. In reference to the principles of DevOps we can highlight the following:
Collaboration
For DevOps, efficiency is based on interdepartmental collaboration. For the Devs and Ops teams, this means a shifting of certain predefined functions and getting an interdisciplinary formation to enable faster and more efficient application delivery.
Quantification
From this approach, DevOps prioritizes the quantification of the number of every measurable element like deployments, failures, time required for each deployment, uptime, etc. As a result, it can determine the effects of its own implementation and promote continuous improvement.
Automation
DevOps integrates the same level of automation in both departments (Devs and Ops), allowing for a level of consistency and efficiency that would not otherwise be possible.
The differences in relation to ITIL
ITIL, on the other hand, represents a set of best practices aimed at aligning information technologies with the business. It is a framework that offers to organizations; highly structured, recognized, common and proven practices. Thanks to this shaping, ITIL ensures the codification and documentation of IT-related processes.
One of the main differences between ITIL and DevOps is the approach that each one has to application development. While ITIL proposes a methodology where the process of creating and deploying applications must be restricted to different departments; DevOps proposes an increase in production speed through the elimination of silos between Developers and Operators.
Some myths related to ITIL and DevOps
The conception of DevOps has preceded the proliferation of some inaccuracies related to its relationship with ITIL. The main myths surrounding the compatibility of ITIL and DevOps are the following:
#1 DevOps can replace ITSM, and therefore ITIL
While it is true that DevOps offers an innovative way to overcome silos and improve some ITIL processes; it is also true that the DevOps philosophy still lacks the maturity to achieve comprehensive IT management.
DevOps does not fully address the need for a framework to manage elements of critical importance to the organization; such as governance, support, operations and budget. That is why organizations still need to rely on ITIL best practices to achieve real service improvement.
#2 DevOps focuses exclusively on application development
Many people believe that DevOps practices are oriented only towards continuous development and automated software delivery. While DevOps focuses on this, it is also true that this philosophy proposes a cultural shift beyond application development.
In this transformation, departmental divisions disappear and it becomes possible to eliminate the culture of guilt; by promoting the creation of interdisciplinary departments and the efficient distribution of responsibilities.
#3 ITIL is a standard whose rigidity cannot allow for integration with DevOps
Although ITIL represents a reference framework with well-defined strategies and processes; it does not propose inflexibility in its practices. On the contrary, it offers organizations the opportunity to adapt and adopt processes according to their objectives. This reaffirms its compatibility with new methodologies or philosophies including the one proposed by DevOps.
Benefits of integrating ITIL and DevOps into an organization
- DevOps can complement and enhance the ITIL framework for more efficient adaptation to business needs.
- ITIL may help define more precisely the objectives of DevOps. This is because ITIL can provide a complete analysis of interference and bottlenecks in development and operations teams, allowing DevOps to focus on the highest priority points.
- ITIL can have a significant improvement in its processes through the automation, continuous delivery and integration culture proposed by DevOps.
- By achieving greater transparency and open exchange between Devs and Ops; event management processes are improved and workflow is enhanced. In this way, it is possible to initiate a culture change that will enable IT professionals not only to increase the speed and quality of production in applications but also to become more aware of their role in the business and more involved in the organization’s decision making.
Although the integration of ITIL and DevOps represents an effective combination oriented to the evolution of the organizations’ service delivery, the decision to integrate them or not; should be focused on the particular needs of each company.
Do not forget that success in implementing any standard or philosophy is based on expertise and the support of effective tools. Find both with GB Advisors.
Contact us for more information about software solutions aligned with the best frameworks, and receive free and accurate advice to help you make the best decision.
