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Many of you find DevOps as a du jour in the world of software development. In real, its way beyond being just a fad! As days go by, it is becoming evident that DevOps, when used right, is a beneficial tool. As an IT manager, I often face nightmares such as investing heavily in a high-profile project and seeing it fail at the time of production due to issues related to performance, scalability or even inadequate security constraints. What to do?
Technically speaking, DevOps application lifecycle management comprises a couple of aspects. In the first phase, developers build as well as test an application for coding errors, if any! As for the second phase, the production operators deploy as well as monitor the application. In case if the app does not run appropriately, chances are there that problems will be fixed after the collaboration of production operators and developers. The entire lifecycle is repeated until and unless the application runs in live production.
One of the major flaws of this DevOps application lifecycle is that several cryptographic security risks can be ignored, especially in the earlier stages such as development or test production stage leading to live production systems. The following post emphasizes on certain ways through which DevOps Application Lifecycle Management can be protected. For now, let us hold that thought for a few minutes and begin from somewhere else (which will eventually lead us to the answer).
What is Application Lifecycle Management?
It is basically an integrated system connecting processes, people, and tools that can manage an entire application lifecycle starting from concept to completion. Like SDLC, ALM seems to be quite comprehensive in terms of scope, featuring development, governance, maintenance, and software decommissioning.
Application Lifecycle Management is mainly divided into several distinct phases. Whether you are using Agile, Waterfall or DevOps, the type of methodology you prefer to work depends on which phase to consider. In addition to this, there are three elements into which the ALM can be broken down. These are —
- Governance: In this stage, decisions are taken regarding the apps. In other words, governance can be termed as business case development where one can get a strategic business outcome based on how ideas are mapped for the app. Data security, resource management, and user access are some other primary aspects included in Governance. Application Portfolio Management is another key point in case if the business decides to perform on multiple applications.
- Development: The second phase of an ALM includes every aspect that is related to the development process —from identifying all the current problems to planning, design, building, testing, deploying and updating the app. Of course, the process entirely depends on the methodology.
- Operations: The last element of ALM is all about operations, which includes app deployment and maintenance of technology stack. For instance, if you are using the Waterfall methodology, then Operations is treated as a separate stage from Development. DevOps unites both Operations and Development to create a fully-integrated and continuous process. Fortunately, there are companies such as Microsoft that offer help desk activities.
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Benefits of ALM
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Clear direction
Application Level Management offers a clear direction throughout an application development stage. All you need to do is develop a business case and map the lifespan of the app and plan adequate resources. Make sure all these stages are cleared before committing to development, which can save both time and money. In addition to this, you can avoid careless mistakes and unnecessary features.
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Speed and agility
Some teams have a hard time staying ahead in the competitive market when it comes to quick and agile delivery of software production.
With the help of several Integrated systems, professionals today can run different tools and processes across multiple teams more effectively. On and all, integration helps teams to improve communication and align software objectives with different business goals.
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Better decisions
One of the best advantages offered by Application Lifecycle Management is that as the software ages, it helps businesses to make better decisions. With the help of unique capabilities like Real-Time Planning and Version Control, team leaders can quickly and decisively map out an application’s future. As a result, it enables businesses to take quick business decisions especially if there are multiple applications to manage. This definitely makes ALM more important.
Unified ALM and DevOps approach
When used right, DevOps is considered as one of the most helpful tools. Created mainly to address the strategic demand-side, the practice succeeds in arising a plethora of software initiatives.
However, when it comes to incorporating cryptographic security and DevOps, web developers need to be well aware regarding all security controls that are essential for protecting themselves against miscellaneous attacks.
In case of such situations, it is important to have an immediate strategy at hand that can help you to address the situation efficiently.
- Come up with a strategic plan for every stage of a lifecycle.
- Ensure that all changes implemented in an application is tracked.
- Ever thought about adding risk management analysts and security professionals to your DevOps teams?
- Develop an effective awareness program.
- Building a DevOps toolkit can help you to prevent cryptographic and digital attacks.
