How do you cope with the emerging trends and technologies in SCM?

1 Agile and DevOps

Agile and DevOps are two of the most popular and influential approaches to software development and delivery. They emphasize collaboration, automation, integration, and feedback across the entire software lifecycle. SCM plays a vital role in supporting agile and DevOps practices, such as continuous integration, continuous delivery, and continuous testing. To cope with agile and DevOps, you need to adopt SCM tools and processes that are flexible, scalable, and compatible with various platforms and environments. You also need to align your SCM goals and metrics with the business value and customer satisfaction.

2 Cloud and Microservices

Cloud and microservices are two of the most prevalent and disruptive technologies in the software industry. They enable software systems to be distributed, modular, scalable, and resilient. SCM needs to cope with the complexity and diversity of cloud and microservices architectures, such as managing dependencies, configurations, and deployments across multiple services and cloud providers. You need to leverage SCM tools and processes that are cloud-native, service-oriented, and automated. You also need to adopt SCM practices that are consistent, standardized, and secure across the cloud and microservices ecosystem.

3 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are two of the most innovative and promising technologies in the software industry. They enable software systems to learn from data, perform complex tasks, and improve over time. SCM needs to cope with the challenges and opportunities of AI and ML, such as managing data, models, and pipelines, ensuring reproducibility and traceability, and optimizing performance and quality. You need to use SCM tools and processes that are data-driven, intelligent, and adaptive. You also need to apply SCM principles and techniques that are ethical, transparent, and accountable for AI and ML outcomes.

4 Open Source and Collaboration

Open source and collaboration are two of the most influential and beneficial trends in the software industry. They enable software systems to be shared, reused, and improved by a large and diverse community of developers and users. SCM needs to cope with the benefits and risks of open source and collaboration, such as managing licenses, contributions, and reviews, ensuring compatibility and compliance, and fostering trust and communication. You need to utilize SCM tools and processes that are open, collaborative, and integrative. You also need to follow SCM standards and guidelines that are respectful, inclusive, and constructive for open source and collaboration.

5 Security and Compliance

Security and compliance are two of the most critical and challenging aspects of software development and delivery. They ensure that software systems are protected from threats, vulnerabilities, and breaches, and that they meet the legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements. SCM needs to cope with the importance and complexity of security and compliance, such as managing secrets, credentials, and keys, enforcing policies and rules, and auditing changes and activities. You need to implement SCM tools and processes that are secure, compliant, and verifiable. You also need to integrate SCM practices that are proactive, preventive, and responsive for security and compliance.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?