Web Operations

Conclusion

"Agile" has often been misunderstood and misapplied. If you have been the victim of developers "delivering working software every two weeks," please accept my sincere apology. They really didn't understand the full consequences of their actions. I assure you they meant well. Don't judge them, help them. Help them help you. You need each other.

The infrastructure renaissance is being driven by the lessons learned in web operations. Cloud computing is predicated on web operations, whether leveraging clouds or building them. Abstractions exposed through APIs driving every aspect of the infrastructure make operations work start to have a lot in common with software development. The infrastructure is an application. Embrace the future by learning lessons from the communities of practice that have been building software for decades.

"Agile" is one such community, a great resource for both technical and social techniques worth studying. The community is filled with colorful and knowledgeable characters, most of whom love to share their ideas and experiences.

Don't forget where you came from. Operations isn't going away; it is becoming more important and powerful. System administration is also a rich domain, with plenty of skilled and brilliant people. Introduce yourself to the community of practice. Help that community grow by adding your experience and voice.

Don't limit ideas to any one mindset or perspective. The best ideas often come when two cultures collide. Steal every good ...