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This article is the first part of a series exploring the ways enterprises can accelerate their software deployment lifecycle through a pathway to deploy. Cloud transformation has become a pivotal strategy for many businesses in reducing technical debt costs and shifting from CapEx to OpEx. However, according to multiple analysts, over 90% of enterprises are overspending in the cloud, indicating a struggle to derive real value from their cloud journeys.

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Aiming to deliver greater developer productivity and speed to market, enterprises require a target operating model that enables the rapid deployment of applications to the cloud. This involves not only accelerating development with continuous integration, deployment, and testing (CI/CD/CT) but also advancing the supply chain lifecycle, which encompasses various other groups such as governance risk and compliance (GRC), change management, operations, resiliency, and reliability.

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Evolving Practices: Automation-first and DevSecOps-led Approach

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Enterprises often retroactively integrate cloud transformation elements into their existing application supply chain processes instead of considering new lifecycle and delivery models tailored for speed and scale. Embracing an automation-first approach, enterprises can drive product lifecycle acceleration that fully leverages cloud transformation potential. This includes implementing pattern-based architecture, deploying DevOps pipeline-driven activities, and automating various cross-cutting concerns, such as security and compliance measures.

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As enterprises transition into cloud-native environments, the intricate process from code to production, known as the “pathway to deploy,” presents unique challenges and opportunities. In this context, IBM explores strategies, target state models, and best practices to facilitate a seamless and effective pathway to deploy.

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Challenges and Target State of Pathway to Deploy

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The article outlines the current challenges in enterprise software development life cycle (SDLC) and highlights a potential target state for the pathway to deploy. The traditional nature of SDLC presents challenges in pre-development wait times, development wait times, and post-development wait times, all of which are impacted by various manual activities and processes.

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The target state of the pathway to deploy emphasizes a streamlined and efficient process that minimizes bottlenecks and accelerates software supply chain transformation. In this ideal state, security and compliance are integrated into the CI/CD/CT pipeline, and the model prioritizes collaboration, continuous monitoring, and feedback loops.

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Driving Acceleration through Clarity, Accountability, and Traceability

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By defining a structured pathway to deploy, organizations can standardize the steps involved in the supply chain lifecycle, ensuring traceability, accountability, and data-driven insights for refinement. Assigning ownership at each stage of the pathway to deploy ensures team members are accountable for their deliverables, contributing to issue resolution and overall acceleration. This structured pathway also supports compliance with industry regulations and simplifies reporting.

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The second part of this series will delve into a maturity model and building blocks to help enterprises accelerate their software supply chain lifecycle in the ever-evolving landscape of enterprise cloud-native software development.

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FAQ

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What is the pathway to deploy?

The pathway to deploy refers to the intricate process from code to production, encompassing various stages such as architecture, design, development, testing, deployment, and monitoring. It involves streamlining and accelerating software supply chain transformation, integrating security and compliance, and prioritizing collaboration and continuous monitoring.

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How can enterprises accelerate their software deployment lifecycle?

Enterprises can accelerate their software deployment lifecycle by implementing an automation-first approach, integrating security and compliance into the CI/CD/CT pipeline, and prioritizing collaboration and continuous monitoring. Standardizing the steps involved in the supply chain lifecycle and ensuring traceability and accountability also contribute to acceleration.

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What are the common challenges in enterprise software development life cycle?

Common challenges in enterprise software development life cycle include pre-development wait times, development wait times, and post-development wait times, all of which are impacted by various manual activities and processes, hindering efficient software deployment.