How Important Are Soft Skills on a DevOps Project?

Soft skills are just as crucial as hard skills in our field. Take trainees, for example, who may not have extensive technical skills yet. When you're teaching someone, you quickly realize how good soft skills positively impact the development of hard skills.

Here are my top 7 soft skills for a DevOps project:

1. Communication with clients. In DevOps, we're not just dealing with machines; we're working with people. We need to be willing and able to clearly communicate our decisions to our clients. It's not enough to simply say, "I'm a professional, trust me." We must explain our reasoning, especially when a solution requires investment. DevOps experts must also be able to break down complex technical concepts in simple terms.
2. Communication with team members. When it comes to internal project communication, team leads also need to explain the 'why' behind tasks, helping team members feel involved so they don’t just follow orders.
3. Critical thinking. DevOps culture is all about continuous development. We need to learn, analyze, ask questions, and always be on the lookout for better solutions. We can't possibly know all the options available, but with critical thinking, we can find the most optimal path forward.
4. Problem-solving. The ability to think on your feet and come up with quick, effective solutions is priceless. It's not just about fixing things; it's about fixing them smartly.
5. Adaptability. This is another must-have. For instance, when we join a project where nothing is documented in code and everything is built locally, we need to adapt and work with what we already have.
6. Time management. This includes task prioritization and process organization. Our work impacts other team members, so we need to set the right priorities. This is especially important when an urgent alert comes from a project.?
7. Lastly, while not as critical as the others, creativity can be a real asset. Sometimes, approaching a problem from an unexpected angle can lead to innovative solutions.

Soft skills are integral to success in DevOps. They complement our technical abilities and often make the difference in project outcomes and team dynamics. As we continue to develop our hard skills, let's not forget to nurture these equally important soft skills.

What's your experience with soft skills in DevOps? Which ones have you found most valuable in your career? Let's discuss in the comments!