DevOps consulting companies can play a vital role in helping organizations adopt and implement DevOps practices. However, with so many different companies to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start.
In this article, we will discuss the key factors to consider when choosing a DevOps consulting company. We will also provide you with actionable and tested tips on how to evaluate potential partners and make the best decision for your organization.
What to consider when choosing DevOps consulting services
Factor 1: What is the expertise and experience of your DevOps consulting company?
You should partner with a company that has experience and expertise in the DevOps domain. Sounds obvious, but many companies often fail to consider this factor rightly. If the company has many years of experience in Software Development and Quality Assurance services, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have good DevOps specialists. To make an informed decision, check their DevOps portfolio, discuss the complexity of their projects as well as challenges they encountered along the way. A reputable DevOps company should be able to provide concrete examples of how they managed issues related to automation, continuous delivery and continuous integration.
Don’t forget to ask about the composition of their DevOps department, qualification of their specialists and experience with tools and technologies commonly used in DevOps practices. This information would help you to understand whether the company’s expertise aligns with your project’s needs and requirements.
Factor 2: Does the DevOps consulting company offer customization and flexibility?
Your organization’s DevOps needs might be unique and one-size-fits-all approach might not work well for you. A top-notch DevOps consulting company should understand this and work to customize solutions that align with your distinct requirements. For instance, if your organization primarily operates in a regulated industry like healthcare, the firm should be able to tailor DevOps processes to comply with industry regulations, such as HIPAA in the United States.
Flexibility is equally crucial, as the technology landscape is constantly evolving. A proficient consulting partner should remain adaptable to changes in your organization’s requirements and industry trends. For example, if your organization decides to transition from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud, your chosen partner should be flexible enough to accommodate this shift and adjust your DevOps processes accordingly.
Factor 3: Who are the clients and what is their feedback?
Positive reviews and testimonials indicate that the company has a history of delivering on its promises. Conversely, negative feedback or recurring complaints should raise red flags and prompt you to dig deeper into potential issues.
Consider an example: If a DevOps consulting company has a solid track record in the finance sector and glowing recommendations from financial institutions, it suggests that they possess the skills to handle sensitive data and regulatory requirements effectively.
Furthermore, reaching out to former clients for direct feedback can provide you with candid insights into the consulting firm’s strengths and weaknesses. By asking about their experiences, challenges encountered, and the outcomes achieved, you gain a clearer picture of what to expect from the consulting partnership
How to choose DevOps consulting experts
Step 1. Define your requirements and expectations. Before searching for companies, you should know and understand what you want to achieve with DevOps? Are you looking to improve your speed to market, reduce costs, or improve software quality? Don’t forget to consider your budget. DevOps consulting services can range in price, so it’s important to set a budget before you start your search. Be sure to take into account the cost of services, as well as travel and other expenses. All this will save your time later on.
Step 2. Research, research, research. Just google “DevOps consulting company” and see what you find on the Internet. You will most likely find plenty of different companies to choose from. Select twenty of them that you like the most.
Step 3. Choose the best 5 out of 20. Use the following factors to guide your selection:
- Years of experience
- Amount of projects in DevOps domain
- Amount of DevOps projects in your industry
- References from previous clients
- Certifications
- Experience in automation
- Size of DevOps department
- Expertise in different DevOps tools and technologies
- Cost-optimization offering
- Monitoring and DevOps metrics
- Ability to build scalable projects
- Commitment to continuous learning and improvement
- Pricing
- Client-centric approach
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Your specific needs and requirements
Step 4. Arrange a meeting with the selected companies. During them discuss in more detail their experience and your project. Get a clear proposal from each company. This should include the scope of work, deliverables, timeline, and cost. You should feel that the company fits you in terms of cooperation, communication and other conditions. Beware of consultants who make promises that sound too good to be true. DevOps is a complex and challenging undertaking, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Look for consultants who are honest and realistic about what they can achieve. Based on interviews and proposals, choose the company that fits you the most.
Step 5. Start cooperation and enjoy your choice. If you did everything right, you will reach your DevOps goals and transform your business for the better. However, be ready to face challenges. The projects without problems don’t exist. What matters the most is how your DevOps consulting company faces challenges and finds the right solutions to them.
Comparing the hiring of DevOps consulting with hiring a coach
Think about the following comparison.
Imagine that you’re hiring a coach to help you train for a marathon. You’re interviewing a few candidates, and they’re all telling you the same thing: they’re the best, they’ll get you to the finish line, and they’ll make you a better runner.
But then you meet one coach who tells you something different:
“I can’t guarantee that you’ll finish the marathon,” he says. “But I can guarantee that you’ll be a better runner by the end of our training. You’ll learn how to push yourself harder, you’ll learn how to listen to your body, and you’ll learn how to pace yourself. And if you decide to run the marathon, I’ll be there to support you every step of the way.”
That’s the kind of DevOps consulting company you want to hire. A company that’s honest with you about the challenges ahead, but that’s also committed to helping you succeed.
A company that is not just interested in getting you to the finish line, but also in making you a better runner along the way.
Conclusion
All in all, there is no universal way to find a reliable DevOps consulting company, but following the recommendations mentioned within this article might considerably help.
To sum up, what you need to do is research, choose the pool of companies, and ask them the tough questions, demanding about their experience, their successes, and their failures. Ask about their approach to DevOps and their philosophy. And most importantly, ask yourself if you trust them to help you achieve your goals.
We hope that our article helped you to find a company that will help you take your DevOps journey to the next level.
