The Integration of Agile Methodologies in DevOps Practices within the Information Technology Industry

TL;DR

This paper investigates how Agile methodologies are integrated into DevOps practices in the IT industry, highlighting the benefits, challenges, and practical implications through qualitative analysis of industry practitioners.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of the integration of Agile methods into DevOps, offering new insights into their interrelationship and practical application in the IT sector.

Findings

Agile methods are increasingly adopted within DevOps practices.

The integration of Agile and DevOps enhances software delivery speed and quality.

Identified themes highlight key challenges and facilitators in Agile-DevOps integration.

Abstract

The demand for rapid software delivery in the Information Technology (IT) industry has significantly intensified, emphasising the need for faster software products and service releases with enhanced features to meet customer expectations. Agile methodologies are replacing traditional approaches such as Waterfall, where flexibility, iterative development and adaptation to change are favoured over rigid planning and execution. DevOps, a subsequent evolution from Agile, emphasises collaborative efforts in development and operations teams, focusing on continuous integration and deployment to deliver resilient and high-quality software products and services. This study aims to critically assess both Agile and DevOps practices in the IT industry to identify the feasibility and applicability of Agile methods in DevOps practices. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with Agile and DevOps practitioners in varying capacities across several sectors within the IT industry. Through thematic analysis, 51 unique codes were extracted and synthesised into 19 themes that reported on each phase of the DevOps lifecycle, specifically regarding the integration and implementation of Agile methods into DevOps practices. Based on the findings, a new understanding detailing the interrelationship of Agile methods in DevOps practices was discussed that met the research objectives.