For anyone involved in software development, the “infinite loop” is synonymous with DevOps – and rightly so. We know that software rarely stays in a static state for long. Continuous updates are necessary to meet user demands and deliver more value, faster than the competition.

You might be wondering: of all the steps in this endless cycle – plan, code, build, test, release, deploy, operate, and monitor – why focus on release and how does the software supply chain (SSC) come into play? Also, what does it mean to take a release-first approach to managing your supply chain and software development?

Explaining the DevOps Infinite Loop

Each step in the first half of the DevOps infinite loop (Plan > Code > Build > Test) is preparing for the release of new software. All the steps in the second half of the infinite loop (Deploy > Operate > Monitor) are actions performed toward the release of the software. The software release stage sits at the heart of Development and Operations.

Your software release contains the value of all your development efforts and is ultimately what your consumers interact with. How you deploy your release is important to ensuring that your users can access its value, while the quality of the release is what makes it easier for IT operations to deploy, run, and monitor.

An Early Release Approach to SSC Management

With so much riding on a software release, it’s critical to manage the entire release journey. This starts with code and dependencies and extends all the way to runtime.

A release-first approach to SSC management means being able to—at any given time—identify and connect the dots from the leftmost point of software development (e.g., coding and package curation) to the rightmost point (e.g., running in production). With a release-first approach, organizations can protect the quality and security of their software and maintain aligned priorities across Development, Operations, and Security teams.

Only when you can draw a line between the runtime and the release source can you identify any elements that might impact the release running in production. Just think of Log4j (the consequences of which are still being addressed by developers and security professionals) to see why this is so important. But if evoking Log4j still isn’t enough to get you to embrace a release-first approach, here are some other important advantages:

• Accelerated and uniform deliveries: Faster and more reliable release of products or updates.
• Robust auditing and change tracking: ensuring complete oversight and monitoring of modifications.
• Simplified release automation: Improving quality, uniformity and assurance through automated release procedures.
• Trust reinforced through reliable deliveries: Establishing trust and certainty through consistently successful launches.
• Stress-free release processes: Turning releases into smooth, anxiety-free operations.
• Clear visibility into the release process: identify bottlenecks and where each potential release is.

Content originally posted at: JFrog Blog

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