Scientific journal paper Q1
Capabilities and practices in DevOps: A multivocal literature review
Ricardo Manuel Duarte Amaro (Amaro, R. M. D.); Rúben Pereira (Pereira, R.); Miguel Mira da Silva (Silva, M. M. da);
Journal Title
IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering
Year (definitive publication)
2023
Language
English
Country
United States of America
More Information
Web of Science®

Times Cited: 23

(Last checked: 2025-12-15 03:08)

View record in Web of Science®


: 1.9
Scopus

Times Cited: 28

(Last checked: 2025-12-12 18:23)

View record in Scopus


: 2.1
Google Scholar

Times Cited: 56

(Last checked: 2025-12-13 06:14)

View record in Google Scholar

This publication is not indexed in Overton

Abstract
Context: To meet the demands of customers and market, Information Technology (IT) organizations are seeking to implement DevOps. While many succeed in DevOps adoption, others lack the knowledge on how to incorporate DevOps culture, process, measurements, and techniques in their business. Thus, successful adoption is still inconsistent, highlighting the need to provide management with relevant information to support the development of DevOps Capabilities effectively. But what are these Capabilities Unfortunately, there is still a lack of clarity about DevOps Capabilities and their relationships to DevOps Practices and Outcomes among researchers and practitioners. Objective: This research aims to gather community consensus on the relationship between Capabilities and Practices, so a better DevOps implementation can be mapped. Seeking to define DevOps Capabilities and Practices concepts and to identify, organize and summarize Capabilities as they relate to Practices. Method: A Multivocal Literature Review (MLR) is conducted, with 93 documents gathered and thoroughly examined from throughout the community, including books, scientific articles, white papers, and conferences, among others. Results: This survey contributes a list of 37 organized Capabilities, their mentions in literature, and their definitions. The concepts of Practices and Capabilities were mapped and categorized in an ordered taxonomy. It is concluded that industry research has much outweighed scientific research on this topic, with Capabilities evolving dynamically over time, reinforcing team collaboration and communication as the most crucial one. The studys Outcomes will assist researchers and practitioners understand how Capabilities and Practices are related at different levels and how to better implement them.
Acknowledgements
--
Keywords
DevOps capabilities,DevOps practices,Software engineering process,Software release management and delivery,Software development,Multivocal literature review
  • Computer and Information Sciences - Natural Sciences
  • Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering - Engineering and Technology