IT organizations are increasingly relying on technology to bring capabilities of automation, self-service capabilities, continuous measurement, and cross-functional collaboration to optimize their operations but one of the most important pieces of the puzzle is people.
In a study by Gartner, it was found that over 80% of respondents said that their organization will be challenged by a shortage of IT and digital talent in the next 12 months. To combat this issue, organizations are turning to DevOps to optimize talent retention and work on upskilling and reskilling. In this article, we will discuss the Three Ways of DevOps and how to create an environment where talented individuals can thrive, develop their skills, and remain motivated to continue working with their organization.
What are the Three Ways?
The “Three Ways” of DevOps refers to the principles of flow, feedback, and continuous improvement, which are described in the book “The Phoenix Project” by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford. These principles are based on the idea that organizations can improve the speed and quality of software delivery by increasing collaboration and communication between development and operations teams.
- The First Way of DevOps is the principle of flow, which involves the smooth and efficient movement of work from development to operations from left to right across the value stream/chain, process, or procedures. This includes minimizing batch sizes, reducing handoff wait times, and eliminating waste and bottlenecks in any process.
- The Second Way of DevOps is the principle of feedback, which involves the use of continuous measurement and feedback to improve the process and identify areas for optimization. Includes shrinking feedback loops, using automation to accelerate testing and deployment, and implementing shift-left practices to catch issues earlier in the process to add security and quality.
- The Third Way of DevOps is the principle of continuous improvement, which involves a culture of continuous experimentation and learning in order to gradually and iteratively improve the process and outcomes. This includes encouraging experimentation and learning by providing ongoing training and development opportunities and measuring and tracking progress over time.
Together, these principles can help organizations create a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, which can add velocity and quality of software delivery while optimizing talent retention.
Create a Culture of Collaboration
The first step to optimizing talent retention in DevOps organizations is by creating a culture of collaboration. This means encouraging employees to work closely together and share ideas while providing the necessary resources and support they need to succeed. The first way to promote collaboration is by making sure everyone in the company understands the entire end-to-end process from left to right.
Knowing how each process works and how their roles fit into that process will help employees understand how their individual efforts contribute to the whole. By promoting a culture of collaboration, organizations can make sure that employees feel supported and appreciated for their contributions.
Reward Employees for Their Contributions
Additionally, it’s important for organizations to recognize and reward employees for their contributions to the organization’s success. Adopting the second way of DevOps with continuous feedback, shrinking feedback loops, and shift-left will support initiatives like bonus structures, recognition badges, or achievement programs that reward individuals or teams. Not only when they meet certain performance goals, but more frequently when completing specific tasks or projects.
By recognizing employees for their efforts and rewarding them accordingly, organizations can create an environment where individuals feel continuously valued and appreciated for their hard work and their contributions.
Provide Ongoing Training and Development Opportunities
To optimize talent retention support your culture with the Third Way of DevOps by providing ongoing training and development opportunities for employees. Encouraging continuous learning and experimentation will show your commitment to continuously helping team members and measure growth both personally and professionally, so they can make meaningful contributions in the workplace and truly have continuous improvement.
Organizations should also provide opportunities for employees to attend conferences, and workshops related to their field, as well as access to online courses or tutorials that can help them stay ahead of the curve. All this can help them stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and trends in the industry and learn new skills that will help them succeed in their DevOps roles.
Final Thoughts
Optimizing talent retention in DevOps organizations is essential if you want your business to be successful over the long term. By creating a culture of collaboration between departments, providing ongoing training and development opportunities, and rewarding employees for their contributions, you can ensure that your organization has a strong foundation from which it can thrive going forward.
Remember that adopting DevOps is more of a cultural and people aspect; rather than a tooling and technological approach, so to truly adopt a DevOps culture, all Three Ways of DevOps must be engaged in a cross-organizational approach and not a technology-first approach; always people and culture first. With these strategies in place, you’ll be able to attract top talent who have the courage, curiosity, and ambition necessary to achieve success within your organization.
Are you an IT leader looking to improve your organization’s capabilities in the world of DevOps? Consider joining the DASA Talent Academy. The DASA Talent Academy offers industry-leading training and resources for IT leaders, helping you and your team become top-performing DevOps professionals. By investing in the skills of your team, you can drive continuous improvement and increase the speed and quality of software delivery. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your organization to the next level. Enroll in the DASA Talent Academy today!
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