The Pros and Cons of Remote Devops

The tech industry is no stranger to being a trendsetter.

And this is also true with the relatively recent surge in hiring remote DevOps.

The overall trajectory towards a global workforce, enabled by powerful digital collaboration tools, has helped tech companies access a rich talent pool from anywhere.

There are also cost savings since the need for physical infrastructure is removed.

Yet, there are complexities to consider, from managing data securely to navigating different time zones.

Here, we’ll lay out the key benefits and disadvantages of hiring remote DevOps. The intention is for business owners or managers to be able to decide if it’s the right step to outsource DevOps or hire fully remote DevOps teams after understanding all the key pros and cons involved.

Let’s dive in.

The State of Remote DevOps Today

Working with remote DevOps teams is a growing trend. Let’s look at where it stands today.

• Almost a third of DevOps professionals work from home today and many more work in a hybrid setting. (Brokee)
• From the same source above, DevOps is increasingly adopting techs like the open-source Kubernetes container, cloud computing, or serverless computing. We’re looking at a more agile DevOps landscape as time goes by - and this feeds the trend of hiring remote DevOps.

Similar research from other sources finds that remote DevOps is on the rise. What does this mean for businesses?

For one, it means that remote roles are redefined into independence, collaboration across borders, and profound flexibility that the traditional office environment simply cannot match. Not to mention, better work-life balance for workers and less micro-management - something that will attract the best talent to companies that provide these options.

Another is that we’re looking at job markets without borders. Today, the job market is global for both employers and job seekers. Closeness to an office is no longer a determining factor in job applications. And in many cases, this has led to a fairer, more meritocratic system, where skill and experience often outweigh geographic location. But there could be a dark side to this we’ll explore later.

The Pros of Remote DevOps

I don’t think that remote work in generate is a fleeting trend. Much less the shift toward remote DevOps. As the owner of a fully remote business with over 300 employees globally, I strongly believe in the power of remote work, even in tech and especially in this field.

For business owners considering remote DevOps, it's a strategic move towards a more flexible, innovative, and inclusive work environment.

Here are some of the most impactful benefits to think about:

• Access talent globally: By hiring remotely, companies can discover and onboard exceptional DevOps talent from around the world, not just within commuting distance. This diversity brings fresh perspectives, innovative problem-solving approaches, and a varied experience.
• Greater work-life balance: Remote DevOps professionals often experience higher levels of job satisfaction due to the flexibility to design their work schedules around their personal lives. This balance reduces stress levels, lower burnout rates, and overall happier and more productive employees.
• Cost savings: Transitioning to a remote workforce allows companies to slash overhead costs associated with physical offices, including rent, utilities, and office supplies. One study found that businesses saved $1900 per employee over a 9-month period. Similarly, employees save on commuting costs, professional wardrobes, and daily meal expenses. This financial efficiency can be redirected into project development, employee benefits, and growth initiatives.
• Increased productivity: While studies have found both a reduction and increase in productivity, I argue that remote work serves a business well when the right parameters are in place. In some studies, 85% of business confirm increased productivity and 50% of employees reduced their sick days and absences by half.
• Environmental Benefits: For businesses that care about a holistic impact on the world, remote DevOps can be a key part of their culture and work. Less commuting means not only financial savings but also a reduced carbon footprint. Remote work contributes to decreasing traffic congestion and pollution, aligning with broader environmental sustainability goals—a not insignificant benefit in today's eco-conscious world.
• Access to Continuous Learning and Self-Improvement: The remote DevOps model encourages a culture of continuous learning. Without the constraints of a traditional office environment, professionals have the flexibility to integrate learning into their daily routine, be it through online courses, webinars, or virtual conferences, keeping their skills sharp and up-to-date.

There are many benefits to hiring remote DevOps teams. Often, you can connect with people more like you and be a better fit for your business and culture if you remove geographical boundaries.

Let’s consider the cons next.

The Cons of Remote DevOps

Despite its advantages, remote DevOps also presents some challenges that shouldn't be overlooked. Understanding these potential hurdles can better prepare you to address them effectively.

• Communication and collaboration hurdles: Not being in the same physical space can make collaboration, problem-solving, and ad-hoc discussions more complex. Differences in time zones and language barriers may also play a role in impeding seamless communication.
• Company culture and team cohesion: Remote work can sometimes lead to a diminished sense of belonging and a weaker team dynamic. Building and maintaining a strong company culture can be more challenging when team members are scattered across different locations.
• Managerial difficulties and performance monitoring: Managing a remote DevOps team requires a different skill set. Ensuring that work is being done efficiently and within expected timelines can be more difficult when direct oversight is not possible, demanding a shift towards outcome-focused management techniques.
• **Unfair compensation to international remote workers: **Some online businesses use the opportunity of remote DevOps to pay much lower compensation than they would with a local team and this can affect the standard of the work you get and is unfair in general.

From personal experience, these issues can be tackled but for many businesses considering remote DevOps, it’s more than just creating an onboarding document and starting work. You need a ground-up approach to making remote DevOps work for you.

Best Practices for Remote DevOps Success

More and more businesses are working with remote DevOps teams and professionals. And you’re reading this because you’re thinking about it too.

You can make remote DevOps work by following a few best practices. Let’s check out what they are.

Prioritize Effective Communication and Collaboration Tools

There’s no reason not to communicate well when there are so many communication tools available. But if you want an idea of how to make it work, here’s a glimpse into how we work:

• We work asynchronously
• We use Slack for MOST of our communication
• We rely on emails only for personalized communication and company-wide announcements
• We have weekly and monthly calls for discussions
• We meet once a year for on-site work
• We use GitHub and other relevant platforms ofr our work
• We also use a tool like Time Doctor to monitor work

There’s no escaping using the right tools for remote DevOps. In fact, your communication tools will carry the bulk of your success should you opt for hiring remote DevOps teams.

Set Clear Expectations and Performance Goals

Setting up KPIs and clear documentation is crucial for managing a successful remote DevOps team. Define success metrics and use platforms like Confluence or Notion for accessible documentation on everything from onboarding to daily processes.

Regular updates keep everyone on the same page, fostering a collaborative and successful team environment

Foster a Collaborative Remote Work Culture

Cultivating a culture where communication, mutual respect, and collaboration are foundational values is essential for any company, especially in the realm of remote DevOps. At the heart of a thriving remote work environment lies the principle that every team member feels heard, valued, and connected despite the physical distance.

This involves more than just adopting the right tools; it requires a deliberate effort to integrate these values into the core ethos of the company.

Support regular, open, and transparent communication allows people to express their ideas and bring their experience to projects.

It's not about waving a magic wand and making DevOps work - it's about running a business with fundamentally sound principles.

Leverage Agile and Flexible Work Practices

Adopting an agile methodology means being prepared for change and maximizing productivity through adaptive work practices. Sprints, daily stand-ups, and regular retrospectives can keep the team focused and aligned. So, be sure to integrate these practices into your remote DevOps team's workflow.

Conclusion

The remote DevOps revolution isn't just a response to the rise of technology and the pandemic.

Done correctly, it's a strategic adaptation that can unlock new levels of performance, ingenuity, and satisfaction for you and your tech team.

And the the flexibility and resilience that remote DevOps offers could be the key to staying ahead of the curve.

Use the information shared here to figure out how best to implement remote DevOps in your own business. You’ll find the implementation easier than you imagine and will reap the benefits.