How Do You Measure DevOps?
If you work with software, you’ve probably heard of DevOps but wondered what it actually means in practice. DevOps is a way of working together to make building and running software easier and faster. The best way to measure how well you are doing DevOps is with a set of measures called DORA metrics.
"What gets measured gets managed." Here's how to measure DevOps for your team.
The Basics of DevOps
DevOps is a mindset for building software that combines the work of coding (development) with the work of keeping systems running smoothly (operations). The goal is to work together so software can be updated quickly and with fewer problems.
Traditionally, developers wrote code while a separate operations team made sure the code ran properly. This “siloed” approach was a source of delays and confusion. DevOps brings both groups together to share responsibilities, using tools and processes to make the whole system work better.
But how do you know if it's working? That's where DORA metrics help.
What Are DORA Metrics?
DORA (DevOps Research and Assessment) metrics are four ways to measure how well your software development process works. They show where things are going well and where improvements are needed.
1. Deployment Frequency
How often does your organization release new code? Great teams release code many times a day, while slower teams might release code once a month or less. Using automated testing and tools that streamline the release process helps teams make more frequent updates with less risk.
Why it matters: Frequent releases mean you're delivering improvements to users faster and staying flexible.
Read more: Deployment Frequency: the Key to High-Performing DevOps
2. Lead Time for Changes
How long does it take written code to go live in production? Automating steps like testing and deployment can help reduce delays.
Why it matters: Shorter lead times mean faster delivery of new features and bug fixes.
Read more: From Commit to Production: How to Speed Up Lead Time for Changes
3. Change Failure Rate
What percentage of code changes to production cause problems like bugs or crashes? Good practices like testing early and monitoring for issues can help keep failure rates low.
Why it matters: Lower failure rates mean more stable and reliable software for users.
Read more: The Change Failure Rate Playbook
4. Mean Time to Recovery (MTTR)
How quickly can your team fix things when something goes wrong in production? Using tools that alert teams to issues quickly and simplify the process of rolling back changes can help speed up recovery.
Why it matters: Faster recovery times minimize disruptions for users.
Read more: Understanding Mean Time to Recovery
How Focusing on DORA Metrics Improves DevOps Effectiveness
By focusing on these four metrics, teams can improve their software delivery. Here's how:
Automation: Automating testing and deployments helps you release code more often and safely. Repetitive, manual work drags down performance and morale; learn more about how automating “toil” can boost DORA metrics.
Collaboration: Working together reduces communication issues and lowers failure rates.
Monitoring: Keeping an eye on performance helps catch problems early and speeds up recovery.
Continuous Improvement: Measuring DORA metrics helps teams see where they can get better.
Why DevOps Matters for Developers
DevOps helps developers too! Here's why you should care:
Fewer Disruptions: Automated tools let you focus on coding instead of fixing problems.
Faster Feedback: See your work go live faster and get feedback sooner.
Better Teamwork: Working closely with operations means less confusion and better results.
In short, DevOps makes coding more fun and less stressful.
Getting Started with DevOps
If you're new to DevOps, start by trying a few simple practices. Implement code version control, automate your testing, set up tools to help with deployments, and focus on teamwork. Check out this article on how to introduce DevOps to your team.
Want to explore more? Try the free Caparra chatbot to learn about DevOps tools and how to apply them. Let's build better software together!
