As indicated in my prior blog Learning the ‘First Way’ of DevOps–Continuous Flow, many organizations are struggling to realize well-engineered DevOps, even the ‘first way’ of DevOps – continuous flow.
The first way of DevOps, continuous flow, is the foundation for DevOps. Once mastered, an organization will naturally want to master the second way of DevOps to achieve greater benefits that continuous feedback offers when engineered well. DevOps is an evolving body of knowledge. There is no one-stop shop that covers all roles and the complete range of skills required for DevOps. A DevOps-competent workforce requires an ongoing commitment to DevOps skills development and mastery. Enterprises must approach DevOps training strategically to leverage training resources to their best advantage.
Learning Continuous Feedback
There are no training resources dedicated solely to the second way of DevOps—continuous feedback. Many of the same resources used to learn the first way of DevOps have some relevant information, though. DevOps monitoring, release automation and security tools publications, articles and tool vendors are a good source. A DevOps expert who is experienced with mature DevOps can select the training information that is relevant to the specific continuous feedback tools and feedback metrics used by the enterprise.
Why This is Important to Engineering DevOps
Continuous feedback requires a mature understanding of DevOps concepts and practices. Specific skills are needed for implementation and operation of advanced monitoring tools and practices for application performance, database performance, advanced continuous testing, advanced release management, infrastructure performance and continuous security.
How Is Learning Continuous Feedback Accomplished?
The following are recommended engineering practices for learning Continuous Feedback.
Roles and responsibilities are assigned to experts for defining a training program for DevOps continuous feedback (e.g., DevOps sensei, training PM, evangelist). Continuous feedback DevOps skills gap assessments are conducted periodically. Dev and Ops training strategies are designed to address gaps and priorities of the organization for DevOps continuous feedback. A training budget that includes allocations of expenses and time allocations per role exists to support continuous feedback. Continuous Feedback goals and SLAs are defined for each role.
Recruiting job profiles match skill requirements for DevOps skills relevant for continuous feedback. Training resources are available and visible to those that need continuous feedback training. Training goals set for teams and individuals include goals for continuous feedback. Incentives and recognition programs support Continuous Feedback training. Continuous feedback training progress is tracked and visible.
What Is Needed to Implement Learning?
The following are recommended engineering practices for implementing a learning program for continuous feedback.
Assign roles and responsibilities to experts for defining a training program for DevOps continuous feedback (e.g., e.g., DevOps sensei, training PM, evangelist). Conduct a continuous feedback DevOps skills gap assessment. Define a training strategy that best addresses the gaps and fits the needs and priorities of the organization. Define a training budget that includes expenses and time allocations per role and skill.
Determine which skills and roles can be covered by inexpensive self-study resources. Determine which skills and roles warrant more costly commercial training Identify training goals for each role. Ensure recruiting job profiles match skill requirements for DevOps skills that are most relevant to the organization’s strategic goals.
Put in place the means to make training resources visible and available. Set training goals for teams and individuals. Put in place incentives and recognition programs for training. Track training progress.
Some of the best sources of DevOps training resources are listed below:
1. The DevOps Institute
2. Partners of The DevOps Institute, such as Learning Tree International and Xellentro
3. Udemy.com
4. Recorded talks and publications of IT Revolution.
5. Books such as my own “Engineering DevOps,” by Marc Hornbeek.
What This Means
To accomplish the benefits of the second way of DevOps—continuous feedback requires a commitment to continuous learning and mastering skills beyond what is needed for the first way of DevOps–continuous flow. Specific skills are needed for implementation and operation of advanced monitoring tools and practices for application performance, database performance, advanced continuous testing, advanced release management, infrastructure performance and continuous security. Organizations need a trained workforce to succeed with DevOps. Organizations must approach DevOps training strategically and continuously to leverage training resources to their best advantage. To learn more about my blueprint for learning all things DevOps, refer to my book Engineering DevOps.
