# How to Get Started with DevOps Automation – and Why It Matters > Common DevOps automation challenges, and how to start automating your deployments and workflows. Source: https://www.xalt.de/en/blog/how-to-get-started-with-devops-automation-and-why-it-matters/ TEAM XALT Atlassian Platinum Partner · 23 May 2022 · 6 min DevOps automation enables faster and more consistent deployments, better tracking of deployments, and better control over the release process. In addition, DevOps automation can help reduce the need for manual intervention, which in turn saves time and money. In general, automation is intended to simplify the development, deployment, and management of software. The main goal of DevOps automation is to achieve faster delivery of reliable software and thereby minimize risk for the company. Automation helps increase the speed and quality of software development while reducing the risk of errors in the development and operations departments. IT departments typically show a need to automate or digitize their processes and workflows, especially during times of crisis. It is precisely then that typical DevOps automation challenges come into focus. ## Why automate at all? Automation is a way to recognize patterns in calculations and treat them as constant complexity O(1) \[Big O Notation\]. For reasons of efficiency, we humans want to share resources (e.g., Uber transport) and avoid boilerplate (less nitpicking to keep the code clear and simple). We deliver only a delta of changes to the generic state by treating generics as utilities/helpers/commons. In the context of cloud automation, we say that provisioning simply does not work without automation. In the context of DevOps automation and software integration, it is about building facades. We call this "Agile Integration" in the industry. The facade pattern is also very common in the industry for software projects that are not built from scratch. Most software solutions available are facades that build on other facades (K8s → Docker → Linux kernel), or a superset of a parent implementation (check the verbosity of Kotlin syntax code compared to Java). ![DevOps Automatisierung eines Single Deployment Release](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/c475o02b/production/157edd3556309d729c634e82b03bfef660cb3d78-1502x1080.jpg?w=1504&q=75&fit=max&auto=format) An example of Agile Integration within any domain (DDD) of microservices deployment. ## What are typical challenges in DevOps automation? ### Lack of integration and communication between development and operations: This can be solved by using a DevOps platform that enables communication and collaboration between the two departments. The platform should also serve as a single source of truth for the environment and enable the automation of workflows. ### Inefficient workflows and missing tools Efficient workflows can be established in DevOps by automating workflows. Workflow automation can help standardize processes, save time, and reduce errors. ### Security vulnerabilities These can be addressed by integrating a standardized set of best practices for security and compliance requirements into your DevOps platform. Additionally, you should ensure that this platform serves as the single source of truth for your DevOps environment. ### Environment inconsistencies Environment inconsistencies can lead to different code versions in various environments, which in turn can cause errors. Inconsistencies in the environment usually occur when there is a lack of communication and collaboration between development and operations teams. ## How to get started with DevOps automation One approach is to start with a tool that automates a specific process or workflow and use a [DevOps](https://www.xalt.de/en/devops-transformation-implementation/) platform that enables communication and collaboration between development and operations teams. Furthermore, the platform should provide a single source of truth for the environment and enable workflow automation. **Start by automating a core process that benefits your teams or business the most:** 1. Understand what the workflow looks like and break it down into its individual steps. You can do this by manually walking through the workflow or using a tool that allows you to visualize the workflow. 2. Determine which parts of the workflow can be automated. To do this, you can examine the workflow and identify which steps are repetitive, time-consuming, or error-prone. 3. Choose a tool or platform with which you can automate the workflow. There are many different options, so it is important to select one that meets your specific needs. 4. Implement the automation. You can do this by following the tool's instructions or by working with a developer or external partner who is familiar with the tool. ### Pro tip: 1. Use a tool such as [Puppet](https://puppet.com/) or Chef to automate the deployment and configuration of your infrastructure. 2. Use a tool such as Jenkins to automate the building, deployment, and testing of your applications. 3. Use a tool such as [Selenium](https://www.selenium.dev/) to automate the testing of your web applications. 4. Use a tool such as Nagios to monitor your infrastructure and applications. ## Summary: DevOps Automation DevOps automation is important because it can help reduce the need for manual intervention, thereby saving time and money. Automation should generally simplify the development, deployment, and management of software. Lack of integration and communication between development and operations, inefficient workflows and missing tools, security vulnerabilities, and inconsistencies in the environment are some of the typical challenges of DevOps automation. Start with DevOps automation by integrating a tool that automates a specific process or workflow. Also use a DevOps platform that fosters communication and collaboration and provides a single source of truth (e.g. [Container8.io](https://container8.io/)). [Free checklist: evaluate your DevOps maturity](https://www.xalt.de/en/assessment/devops-assessment-checklist/) ## Ready to take your DevOps automation to the next level? We'll help you find the right DevOps platform and automate your workflows step by step. [Talk to us](https://www.xalt.de/en/contact/) ## More articles ### [The Agent Harness: The Real Foundation of Enterprise AI](https://www.xalt.de/en/blog/agent-harness-foundation-enterprise-ai/) Why the agent harness – not the AI model or the generated code – determines the success of enterprise AI initiatives, and how to build one in five steps. *DevOps* ### [Governing Agentic AI Safely: Zero Trust and Compliance for AI Agents](https://www.xalt.de/en/blog/governing-agentic-ai-zero-trust-compliance/) AI agents are transforming the enterprise at speed – and the risk is growing just as fast. How the "in dubio pro securitate" principle, formal verification, and zero trust keep agentic AI safe and compliant. *DevOps* ### [Shift Left: Catching Bugs Earlier in Your Development Cycle](https://www.xalt.de/en/blog/shift-left/) Bugs found late cost time, money, and trust. The shift-left approach moves testing and quality assurance as early as possible into the development cycle. *DevOps* --- *This version is for AI agents. Every page of this site is available as Markdown: append `index.md` to its path. Index of all pages: [llms.txt](https://www.xalt.de/llms.txt)*