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5 STEPS TO A DEVOPS
TRANSFORMATION
It’s not what we believe, it’s what we do that defines
our culture.
Dan Barker
Chief Architect - Archer
@barkerd427

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Establish the vision
@barkerd427

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“A strong team can take
any crazy vision and turn
it into reality.”
John Carmack
@barkerd427

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The vision creates empowerment
▪ But I’m not a leader!!!
▪ Bold
▪ Inspiring
▪ Actionable
▪ Business-focused
@barkerd427

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Bad vision -> bad outcomes
▪ Biased for failure
▪ No vision
▪ IT-focused
▪ Lack clarity
▪ Not actionable
@barkerd427

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Find evangelists
@barkerd427

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“It is not about whether you call yourself a
leader or not. It is about what you have to
show to people as a leader. Leadership is
contagious, you carry it and share it.”
Israelmore Ayivor
@barkerd427

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You can’t do it alone
▪ Use anyone willing to help
▪ Nurture this team
▪ This team is a bellwether
▪ Publicly praise team members
@barkerd427

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Create shared experiences
@barkerd427

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“Words are symbols for shared memories.
If I use a word, then you should have some
experience of what the word stands for. If
not, the word means nothing to you.”
Jorge Luis Borges
@barkerd427

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Bringing people together by sharing
▪ Two levels
− Leadership
− Organization
▪ Equally important
@barkerd427

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Leadership teams need landmarks
▪ Shared information model
▪ Reference point
▪ Provides inspiration
▪ Repeat
@barkerd427

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Don’t leave everyone else behind
▪ Shared information model
▪ Provides motivation
▪ Leaders should be leading
▪ How?
@barkerd427

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Educate, educate, educate
@barkerd427

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“An investment in knowledge pays
the best interest.”
Benjamin Franklin
@barkerd427

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Learn something new to build something new
▪ Knowledge changes outcomes
▪ Make it a priority
▪ Make it available
▪ Monitor it
@barkerd427

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Everyone learns differently
▪ Online training
▪ In-person classes
▪ Newsletters
▪ Conferences
▪ Hackathons
@barkerd427

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Get feedback
@barkerd427

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“True intuitive expertise is learned
from prolonged experience with good
feedback on mistakes.”
Daniel Kahneman
@barkerd427

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Measure what matters
▪ Accelerate by Dr. Forsgren
▪ Westrum Culture Survey
▪ User Surveys
▪ 1:1 Feedback
▪ CultureAmp
@barkerd427

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References
▪ https://itrevolution.com/book/leading-the-transformation/
▪ https://web.mit.edu/2.75/resources/random/How%20Complex%20Systems%20
Fail.pdf
▪ https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Project-DevOps-Helping-Business/dp/09882
62592
▪ https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Ship-Around-Turning-Followers/dp/1591846404
▪ https://itrevolution.com/book/accelerate/
▪ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1765804/pdf/v013p0ii22.pdf
@barkerd427

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Dan Barker
dan@danbarker.codes
danbarker.codes
dan.barker@rsa.com
rsa.com
@barkerd427