Transitioning to Dev/Ops from a Waterfall Web Development Environment at the US Army Corps of Engineers

Abstract

The US Army Corps of Engineers needed to upgrade their web development process from a traditional Waterfall approach to a more agile DevOps methodology. Over the course of eight weeks, the project team successfully implemented the necessary changes and achieved a smooth transition to the new development environment. The project involved analyzing the existing Waterfall practice in one project by identifying inefficiencies and designing a DevOps framework tailored to the specific needs of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The team collaborated closely with technical leads, including developers, testers, and operations personnel, to ensure a seamless integration of DevOps principles and practices. Throughout the project, the team encountered challenges related to cultural shifts, infrastructure changes, and training requirements. However, through effective communication, training programs, and change management strategies, these challenges were overcome, and the organization experienced improved collaboration, faster deployment cycles, and enhanced software quality. Key Terms ⎯ Collaboration, DevOps, Waterfall, and Web Development.