DevOps transformation and digital transformation go hand in hand, with most organisations looking to accelerate software delivery cycles and improve software quality. According to one study, 83% of organisations are implementing DevOps practices to unlock higher business value. However, many enterprises struggle to unlock the full value of DevOps transformation as they strive to build cutting-edge software.

There are many pitfalls for the unwary, many of which relate to cultural factors. Smarter organisations succeed with DevOps by focusing heavily on planning for the transformation and then on change management during the transformation to make the new practices stick. Let’s take a closer look at some of the pitfalls of DevOps transformation and how they can be avoided.

1. Failing to make the case for change upfront

DevOps brings about dramatic changes in how both the development and operations teams will work. There may be some resistance to change. Before starting the journey, smarter IT decision-makers will make a strong case for why it’s necessary. Communicating how DevOps transformation will give the company an edge as well as how team roles and working practices will change vastly improves the prospects for success.

2. Too much focus on tools and automation

Automation, containerisation, and all those shiny new tools are central components of a successful DevOps transformation. But it’s important to bear in mind that technology is just there to enable people. Rather than rushing out to buy every cool-looking piece of tech on the market, a knowledgeable team will think strategically about what it needs in its toolchain to help developers and operations teams perform at their peak as well as the business value it wants to unlock.

3. Too little focus on culture and change management

Uniting the Dev and Ops team represents a major shift in how each operates. Before DevOps transformation, the teams followed vastly different processes and methodologies. Demands to deliver code each day or month, for example, might mean that Dev and Ops teams have to rethink how they structure their calendars and allocate work to team members. They will also need to learn to collaborate more closely. It’s key to embed a new culture across the DevOps team and to plan a transitional period to allow people to get used to new ways of working.

4. Trying to eat the elephant in a single bite

Many organisations try to implement DevOps in a big-bang approach, introducing DevOps everywhere at once. But implementing DevOps at a large scale can lead to delays and friction as team members try to get up to speed with new tools and practices. Furthermore, it can take time to hire in all the specialists a business needs to create a full-blown DevOps department. Scaling up from small teams and manageable projects can put the business on a path toward sustainable success.

There are many other reasons why a DevOps transformation may not be successful, including a failure to evaluate progress in an honest way, not focusing enough on continuous improvement, and underestimating the effort it takes.

1Nebula has helped many leading organisations navigate the challenges and opportunities of DevOps and digital transformation. Get in touch to learn how our knowledgeable team, DevOps experience, and the seamless process can guide your transformation.