Building Successful DevOps Teams

The demand for skilled DevOps engineers continues to outstrip the available talent pool, with tech companies struggling to find qualified professionals in this critical field. To build successful DevOps teams, businesses must prioritize specific core skills and nurture existing employees. In this post, we will explore the key qualities that organizations should look for when hiring new DevOps engineers and discuss strategies for maximizing the potential of their existing teams.

Eagerness to Learn

In the ever-evolving world of DevOps, a natural desire for knowledge and a want to develop are essential for success. DevOps engineers should demonstrate a persistent attitude when faced with challenges. It's important to acknowledge that learning should extend beyond the workplace. Encouraging continuous growth and supporting employees in expanding their capabilities outside of their day-to-day responsibilities is crucial.

Analytical and Strategic Thinking

While technical skills are important, DevOps engineers must also possess the ability to think strategically and apply analytical thinking. They should keep the bigger picture in mind and analyze projects to determine the right tools and approaches. Being knowledgeable about different tools and cloud solutions is beneficial but understanding how to utilize them effectively is what sets successful DevOps professionals apart.

Practical Experience

Putting theory into practice is where true progress is made. Practical experience is essential for DevOps engineers to thrive. Training, education, and research are valuable, but they must be supplemented by hands-on experience. Versatility is crucial in this field, and professionals should have a working knowledge of a broad range of tools while specializing in at least one area of Dev or Ops. Python, for example, plays a significant role in automation and should be considered a stepping stone for DevOps engineering growth.

Transferrable Skills

When seeking new talent, employers should consider relevant skills from other IT disciplines that can be applied to DevOps. Experience in SysOps or a specific programming language can provide a solid foundation for a transition to DevOps. The fusion of administrative and programming skills is what defines the spirit of DevOps. Leveraging previous experience in scripting or setting up local infrastructure for testing can be invaluable.

Clear and Focused Specialization

Simplicity is key when establishing a DevOps approach. Businesses should prioritize automation, keeping infrastructure "as-code" and staying up to date with tools and technologies. Automation tools like Ansible and Terraform play a vital role in ensuring developers remain adaptable in an ever-changing industry.

Developing the Next Generation

Investing in the growth and development of DevOps engineers is crucial for the long-term success of tech companies. By providing resources and opportunities for training, organizations can nurture the next generation of talent. This investment not only expands the pool of skilled engineers but also mitigates the DevOps skills shortage and strengthens the IT department.

To build successful DevOps teams, businesses must prioritize certain qualities when hiring new engineers and focus on nurturing existing talent. By seeking individuals with a thirst for learning, analytical and strategic thinking abilities, practical experience, transferrable skills, and a clear specialization approach, organizations can create high-performing DevOps teams.

Additionally, investing in the growth of DevOps engineers and supporting their development will yield long-term benefits for the company and help bridge the skills gap in this rapidly evolving field.