If there’s one thing we all know, it’s that our field never sits still. Keeping up with the latest tools, platforms, and trends is essential if we want to stay ahead of the game and keep our sanity intact. One of the best ways to do this? Crack open a good book. Let me take you on a little tour of my favorite reads and share why ongoing self-education is your best career move.
Two Books That Transformed My DevOps Mindset
"The Phoenix Project" by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford is a must-read for everyone in or adjacent to a DevOps transformation. It tells the story of Bill, an IT manager who’s got 99 problems and DevOps is the solution to all of them. This book uses a novel format to dive deep into DevOps principles, making it as entertaining as it is enlightening.
Reading "The Phoenix Project" was a game-changer. It truly placed me into Bill’s shoes, and it made me to empathize with him and to better grasp the challenges that all organizations face. The book’s practical tips on workflow, collaboration, and automation were gold; however, the aspect that I end up speaking with others about most is that Bill’s first action was to throw away the broken change process, and replace it with a manual but trusted process using index cards, and only then did he begin to automate, integrate and optimize.
Accelerate
"Accelerate" by Nicole Forsgren, Jez Humble, and Gene Kim is like the science textbook you actually want to read. It’s all about the data – what makes tech organizations succeed, and how you can replicate that success.
"Accelerate" gave me the kind of actionable insights and a simple but powerful framework that make you look like a wizard at work. Focus on key metrics like lead time and deployment frequency? Check. Use continuous delivery and lean management to boost performance? Double check. This book’s evidence-based approach helped me fine-tune my ability to better articulate an impactful approach to continually measuring the maturity of a DevOps transformation.
Other Must-Read DevOps Books
While "The Phoenix Project" and "Accelerate" are my personal favorites, there’s a whole library of DevOps wisdom out there. Here are ten more books that deserve a spot on your reading list:
The DevOps Handbook by Gene Kim, Jez Humble, Patrick Debois, and John Willis
The DevOps Adoption Playbook by Sanjeev Sharma
Effective DevOps by Jennifer Davis and Katherine Daniels
Continuous Delivery by Jez Humble and David Farley
The Unicorn Project by Gene Kim
Site Reliability Engineering edited by Niall Richard Murphy, Betsy Beyer, Chris Jones, and Jennifer Petoff
Time Management for System Administrators by Thomas A. Limoncelli
Team Topologies by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais
Building Microservices by Sam Newman
Lean Enterprise by Jez Humble, Joanne Molesky, and Barry O'Reilly
Other Ways to Keep Learning (AKA "I hate reading")
Reading is fantastic, but it’s not the only way to stay sharp. Here are some other methods and strategies for continuous learning in the DevOps and software development space:
Joining local community groups is a great way to learn and network with like-minded professionals. Here are a few to check out:
North American DevOps Group (NADOG): Fun, casual, and educational events for DevOps and software development professionals.
DevOpsDays: Global series of conferences covering topics of software development, IT infrastructure operations, and the intersection between them.
Meetup Groups: Look for local DevOps and tech meetups in your area for regular learning and networking opportunities.
Having a mentor can provide personalized guidance and support. Find someone who has the experience and insights you aspire to gain and learn from their journey. Don’t be afraid to reach out to industry leaders on LinkedIn or within your organization.
YouTube is a goldmine for DevOps tutorials, talks, and deep dives. Here are some popular channels to subscribe to:
TechWorld with Nana: Great content on DevOps tools, practices, and career advice.
The Net Ninja: Comprehensive tutorials on a variety of tech topics, including DevOps.
AWS Online Tech Talks: Regularly updated content on cloud computing and DevOps practices.
QA North America (formerly CloudAcademy): Offers a range of videos on cloud computing and DevOps tools.
TechStrong TV: Features industry news, interviews, and insights on DevOps and digital transformation.
DOGCAST by NADOG Features speakers from the community events, industry experts and influencers, and more.
Conferences and webinars are excellent for keeping up with the latest industry trends and networking with peers. Look for events like:
AWS re:Invent
Google Cloud Next
KubeCon + CloudNativeCon
DevOps World
Platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Udacity, and Pluralsight offer courses and certifications that can boost your skills and credentials. Look for programs focused on DevOps, cloud computing, and related fields.
Perks of Non-Stop Learning:
Staying Relevant: Technology waits for no one. Keep up or get left behind.
Career Boost: More knowledge equals more opportunities (and possibly more money!).
Problem-Solving Superpowers: The more you know, the better you can tackle those gnarly problems.
Innovation: Fresh ideas come from fresh knowledge. Stay inspired.
Conclusion
Mastering DevOps isn’t a one-and-done deal; it’s a continuous journey. Books like "The Phoenix Project" and "Accelerate" sparked a transformation of my mindset, and I am always on the lookout for the next title that has that effect.
What’s your go-to DevOps book or continued learning method? Drop your favorites in the comments and let’s keep this knowledge party going!
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