Canonical definition
A DevOps Operating Model is an operating model that connects software delivery, operations, automation, feedback, responsibility and evidence so that change can move through a repeatable and governable delivery system. It is broader than a toolchain.
Delivery and operations
DevOps reduces the structural separation between building a change and operating the resulting service. The operating model connects development, delivery, deployment, operation, feedback and improvement without assuming that every organization must use the same team structure.
Automation
Automation can make repeatable activities faster and more consistent, but automation is a mechanism rather than the operating model itself. The operating model must still define responsibilities, control boundaries, exception handling and the conditions under which automated actions are permitted.
Feedback and learning
Operational feedback connects production behavior to future delivery decisions. Useful feedback may include service behavior, incidents, delivery outcomes, control results and user impact. Feedback should inform improvement without being reduced to a single metric.
Relationship to execution-first architecture
The DevOps Operating Model supports Execution-first Architecture by connecting delivery intent to implementation and operational behavior. This relationship does not make DevOps identical to enterprise architecture.
Professional credential
The IBQMI Certified DevOps Manager credential validates professional capability in the DevOps Operating Model. The operating model is a concept within the professional system; it is not itself a credential.
Institutional context
The concept forms part of the IBQMI® standards and frameworks portfolio maintained by IBQMI®. Its professional definition remains independent of particular vendors, cloud platforms and software products.
What a DevOps Operating Model is not
It is not a CI/CD toolchain, cloud vendor, collection of scripts or requirement to eliminate all role boundaries. It does not mean uncontrolled deployment or automatic approval of every change.
Sources
-
Execution-First Architecture
https://www.ibqmi.org/knowledge/execution-first-architectureIBQMI® -
IBQMI Certified DevOps Manager
https://www.ibqmi.org/knowledge/certified-devops-managerIBQMI® -
Q-FrameworX™ Framework Library
https://contact.ibqmi.org/q-framework-libraryIBQMI® -
IBQMI® Standards and Frameworks
https://www.ibqmi.org/knowledge/standards-and-frameworksIBQMI®