Implementing DevOps in State Government

In 2011, Shawn Sesna embarked on a challenging journey as a Configuration Manager at a small US state government agency, tasked with automating manual processes to enhance software deployment reliability and efficiency. Initially, he tackled the agency's problematic deployment processes by leveraging Microsoft Team Foundation Server for source control and developing console applications to automate web and database deployments, which significantly reduced errors and weekend work. Despite initial reluctance, the team eventually adopted Octopus Deploy, an off-the-shelf solution, which streamlined deployment further. As processes became more automated, collaboration between teams improved, reducing tensions and fostering a collaborative environment. Sesna also introduced Infrastructure as Code using PowerShell DSC, allowing for consistent server configurations and further decreasing friction between operations and development teams. By 2019, Sesna had implemented Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery, automating various deployment tasks and receiving positive feedback, illustrating the potential for successful DevOps integration in a typically slow-moving government setting.