Continuous delivery is an approach to software engineering where the process is automated to speed up flawless and prompt deployment. The process includes the build, configure, test, and deployment of code. It gives the ability to change all the new features, configurations, an experiment in production, and also bug fixing. Continuous delivery can be applied in all the possible large-scale distribution systems, complex distribution system embedded systems, or any routine affair, etc.
In short, “Continuous delivery is valuable for not being a fashion but because it delivers done features. It consumes your undone work from the codebase and minimizes waste.”
To better understand what continuous delivery is, let’s see how it helps in the deployment
In a typical deployment, after integration and built are successful, the code is directly transferred for operation with a list of instructions in various environments like dev/ testing, staging, and productions. These instructions are very important as the operation team has to follow this instruction step by step for successful installation in every environment. The problem with this typical method is that the instructions are written manually causing many time miss interpretations while installing. This makes the deployment process lengthy and with errors.
To overcome this issue it is advisable to keep the software versions identical in every environment and keep the software stable. The main issue we can observe in this is that the process is manual. To avoid this main problem we must create an automated pipeline and make the complete process automated from manual.
An automated release pipeline is a sequence of processes in deployment. These steps are given to the operations team from the development teams as instructions. The tools which are used for continuous integration can also be used here for continuous delivery. In this automated process, the software is deployed first in the test environment, and once successfully tested it's further deployed to the production environment without any approval from any management, production, or development team. This process mentioned is called continuous deployment.
This process of continuous deployment is called continuous delivery only when the product management or team ensures that the deployment from successful testing is only transferred to a production-based environment on their choice, time it should be done.
Continuous deployment is difficult to maintain in various industries as it requires continuous monitoring due to high automation. So in CI/CD, it is always assumed that the CD stands for continuous delivery and not continuous deployment.
Benefits of Continuous Delivery
It requires less effort for releasing the software for production.
As it is automated it is more reliable compared to the typical process.
This process gives the product management complete control for delivery time.
It helps in deciding the delivery time.
Due to automation, it is easy to release more often and hence enabling the feedback window repeatedly.
Why Choose Continuous Delivery
Low-Risk Release- As the main goal of continuous delivery is to make the process painless it surely ensures there are fewer mistakes and low-risk events which can be performed as required on-demand, anytime.
Faster in Market Reach- Compared to the typical or traditional process where there are several mistakes and fixes it processes fewer mistakes and fix reducing that time and reaching the product in the market faster.
Lower Cost- Any process evolves over time and hence the software service and product will also evolve. By implementing automation in the system we can lower the making and delivery cost by eliminating the fixed cost of the release process in the incremental changes of the product and service.
Better Product- With help of continuous delivery it is economically possible to work in small batches providing us with the benefit of getting feedback throughout the working lifecycle from the users.
Higher Quality- The developers can free their time for focusing on user research and higher-level testing etc. as they have the help of automation to discover deterioration. In the release pipeline, these activities are performed continuously ensuring the build quality is higher.
Continuous delivery or any process is never magic. It is always about continuous and regular improvement. While striving for excellence one must always keep in mind that “Excellence is not a destination; it is a continuous journey that never ends.”
About Advance Agility
We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.
Connect with us at advanceagility.com to learn about SAFe and SAFe Implementation. Write to us at contact@advanceagilty.com for any agile training or consulting needs. We are always looking for competent agile trainers as well. So if you are a good trainer or want to become one, do get in touch with us to that we can learn, grow and achieve together.
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