Automatic approvals for your database deployment automation

Bob Walker discusses automating database deployment approvals to streamline the process and reduce the need for manual intervention by Database Administrators (DBAs). Initially, DBAs play a crucial role in approving changes to prevent potential failures in production and build trust in the automation process. However, Walker suggests a multi-layer approach to automate approvals, where initial checks for standard violations occur on the build server using tools like SQL Enlight and tSQLt. This ensures scripts meet standards before reaching Octopus Deploy. Despite automation's capabilities, some scripts may still require human review; thus, Walker recommends manual interventions in a QA, Testing, Staging, or UAT environment, not in production or development, to balance oversight and efficiency. PowerShell scripts are used to inspect delta reports and trigger manual interventions when necessary, with a focus on maintaining visibility and trust in the deployment process. Through this strategy, Walker outlines a method for incorporating logic into deployment processes using output variables and run conditions in Octopus Deploy, enabling auto-approvals while ensuring essential review points remain intact.