Product instead of project

Article: If digitalisation is the goal, DevOps is the way to go

Software must be available quickly. Long development processes, in which planning is done first and then implemented, are no longer in keeping with the times. DevOps enables greater speed, higher quality and more flexibility.

Traditional software cycles do not work if applications and digital services are to be developed agilely from the outset. IT solutions must be considered over their entire life cycle to ensure that they remain dynamic. In concrete terms, this means viewing solutions as a long-term product rather than a temporary project. DB Systel uses the DevOps approach to support Deutsche Bahn's specialist departments not only in developing and operating applications efficiently, but also in continuously improving them in an agile manner.

"Working together with our partners, we use DevOps to continually create the conditions that allow us to deliver on what customers expect of digitalisation – speed, flexibility, quality and, consequently, the creation of customer value."

Ulrich Vogler, Head of the "Building DevOps Teams" strategic programme, DB Systel

Benefits of the DevOps production model:

Independence and relief of strain on staff

Independent services reduce dependencies between teams. On a day-to-day basis, agile DevOps teams have end-to-end responsibility for the entire life cycle of an application or IT service.

Automation reduces workload

Automation leads to stable, repeatable and high-quality workflows in the DevOps process.

Fulfils user wishes

Users get directly involved in agile formats and can give immediate feedback and ideas for how the IT service should be designed going forward. This not only leads to faster reactions, but also reduces the effort required.

Enables rapid, structured development

DevOps enables continuous further development of the product in quick, small steps and shortens the time to market. At the same time, this production model allows for a predictable, stable budget.

DevOps facilitates new forms of collaboration

We have established DevOps as our preferred production model. To this end, we support and coach teams to become independent DevOps teams. This allows the teams to assume end-to-end responsibility for the development and operation of an IT solution. In practice, there are various models for how collaboration between DB Systel and the Group partners is organised. The simplest way: product teams take care of one or more specific solutions. In more specialised models, we work more closely with our Group partners, including ‘mixed’ or cross-divisional teams made up of DB Systel and Group partner employees.

The DevOps success story

There’s no going back – how DevOps is permanently changing rail IT

DevOps methodology is increasingly being used in the DB Group.

If you also want to transform your IT solutions into dynamic, customer-orientated products, we should talk about it.

If digitalisation is the goal, DevOps is the way to go