DevOps sounds like a job title, but it is really a set of habits that make releasing changes calm instead of frightening.
The core habits
A small team benefits from a few of them.
- Every change is kept in version control
- Tests run automatically before a release
- Servers are set up from a written recipe, not by hand
- Releases are small and frequent
- Monitoring tells you before customers do
Why it helps small teams most
A small team cannot afford a weekend of firefighting. Routine, tested releases and a quick way to roll back protect scarce time.
Start with two habits
Begin with version control and automatic backups, then add automatic tests and monitoring. Each habit pays back before you add the next.