Five Unusual Motives for Pursuing a DevOps Career in Product Design

Exploring the intricacies of SaaS product deployment, fore-fronting operational excellence, and agile design iterations in the dynamic field of DevOps as a Product Designer.

Chad Bercea
6 min readOct 7, 2023
Midjourney 5.2: Digital product designers building digital products.

Stepping into the world of DevOps is like inducting into an elite cult — mysterious, powerful, and slightly intimidating, right? And a product designer navigating these waters is like toasting marshmallows over an active volcano. Do you think I’m a crazy person? I mean, I am. However, you should reconsider that. Combining DevOps with product designing is an unusual cocktail (like whiskey with lemonade). Yet, here I am — bold, slightly tipsy, and ready to regale you with five unconventional reasons why you should embrace this path. Sounds far-fetched? I am. And so can you.

SaaS Product Deployment: A Control Freak’s Dream Come True

Ah, SaaS Product Deployment — a Control Freak’s Dream Come True! Because nothing screams “I love having everything in my grasp” more than obsessing over deployment, am I right? Calm Your Deployment Anxiety! No more pacing the halls, closely watching the clock, or single-handedly trying to catch that elusive bug. It’s time to dial down those adrenaline levels and trust the DevOp’s goodness to streamline your deployment process. Bye-bye, sleepless nights! Effortlessly Rollout MVPs — because who doesn’t love serving a plate of fresh, Minimal Viable Products to hungry (and slightly impatient) stakeholders? With the godsend of SaaS and DevOps, you’ll have no trouble whipping up batch after batch of delightful MVPs that’ll satiate even those with an insatiable appetite for updates. How’s that for a personal chef? Goodbye, Deployment Downtime! In this power-couple partnership, we don’t have time for downtime. While your previous nightmare may have involved staring down the barrel of a never-ending abyss of downtime, DevOps swoops in to give you a hand, helping you banish that uptime-wrecking villain into the darkness. Now go forth and revel in your incredible uptime victory, you overlord of resilience! Oh, but take your time because Operational Excellence: The Superhero in (Product) Disguise is next up! There’s still much more intrigue and excitement in this epic saga. Stay tuned and keep reading!

Operational Excellence: The Superhero in (Product) Disguise

Let’s face it; organizers might be secretly adored, but the fast-paced, daring rule-breakers get all the glory when it comes to product development. But are we remembering a crucial character trait of every successful superhero? Their meticulous obsession with discipline. Enter Operational Excellence — our Product Development’s covert Clark Kent, if you will. No extravagant cape and tighty whities are needed. Essentially, you become your very own Usain Bolt of Product Development. How? ‘Release features lightning fast’ is more than just a fancy tagline. It’s a lifestyle, baby. Say ciao to the days of snail-paced release cycles. You’re in fast-forward mode now. And oh, my favorite part of this superhero saga? The metrics! With a keen eye on data so hawk-like, it would make Sherlock Holmes proud. Admittedly, this borderline obsession with metrics is something that most people may find mildly (read: incredibly) unnerving. Who cares about people’s opinions when you’re too busy skyrocketing your product to new heights? Now, talk about adding ‘badass’ to your job description. Just remember, great power comes with great responsibility.

Agile Design Iterations: Priority Inbox for Creativity

Right, then, we’re launching headfirst into the wonderfully twisted universe of Agile Design Iterations. This exhilarating arena is your golden ticket to unleashing your curious, experimental self. Your inner mad scientist is doing the happy dance, mirroring your excitement. But remember, wild abandon has no place in this science lab. Precision is key. Like a wine connoisseur accurately predicting an excellent vintage by merely sniffing, you, my DevOps-infused Product Designer, will master the art of precise estimations. Sounds like an intoxicatingly mighty superpower. Yet, despite your estimable powers, you will still be facing an army, not of menacing villains but of impatient stakeholders. And boy, do they put the ‘stake’ in stakeholders! Their incessant demands will make you feel like a juggler skating on thin ice. But then, who said being a superhero would be straightforward? In the DevOps universe, spam filtering creativity and taming stakeholder expectations are as fundamental as breathing. You are done and dusted! Now, don’t let any of this daunt you. After all, didn’t they tell you about the twisted fun of journeys in no particular hurry to reach the destination? Cue clinking glasses to the sweet sound of operationalizing creativity in Agile Design Iterations. Oops, that’s your stakeholder pinging.

The Unholy Marriage of Product Designers and DevOps

So, you thought DevOps and Product Design were just two ships passing in the night. Well, brace yourself — it’s about to get scandalous. You are introducing an unconventional couple: Product Designers and DevOps. It’s time for a quick tango through this cross-functional affair’s juicy perks and perils. Now, are you ready for some drama? Here’s the million-dollar question: Power Couple or Doomed Duo? Product Designers and DevOps bring their skills to the cross-functional table, but the plot thickens when you toss in some collaborations and a bit of chaos. You get faster deployment but also an ongoing battle for design approval. Intriguing. Communication is vital to enjoy this steamy partnership, just like any good soap opera.

Want to avoid your designs facing downtime? Want to take part in the delightful world of close-knit release cycles? The stage is set; it’s your star-crossed chance to shine. But that’s enough for dramatics — let’s dive into your blueprint for a thriving DevOps-Product Designer partnership. Hold tight because it’s time for an adrenaline-pumping ride through multi-functionality and understanding the fine art of give and take. Ready to juggle the designer hat with the DevOps cape? Then you’re all set to prove why this can be the ultimate power couple. And there you have it, folks — the exhilarating and chaotic dance of Product Designers and DevOps. It’s a thrilling tale of triumphs and tribulations, but if you can keep calm and embrace the unconventional, this love story is destined for success. So grab your popcorn because we’ve got more juicy stories coming your way in the next episode!

Unconventional Life Lessons from a Wild Journey

Ah, life lessons. Aren’t they just the best? Especially when they come wrapped in a twisted DevOps and Product Designer journey. Let’s take a joyride through them, shall we? First, we’ve got “The School of Hard Knocks: A Crash Course in Success.” Here, you’ll un-learn everything you thought you knew and gain perspective on every curveball life throws (or launches) at you. Strap in; it’s like bungee jumping without the cord! Next, embrace the motto: “No pain, no gain.” Relish those painful moments, for they create the masterpiece that is your professional life. Remember, everyone loves a good underdog story. Finally, “Creating a New Legacy” is where you step into the spotlight, rewriting history and leaving your mark on the DevOps-infused Product Designer world. Show them how it’s done, champ! And they said it couldn’t be done… Ha!

Conclusion

We are at the grand finale (drumroll, please). You’ve survived a rollercoaster of unconventional wisdom, laughter, and possibly tears. But have you emerged victorious, ready to blaze the trail to success as a DevOps-infused Product Designer? Dare to claim your destiny, brave soul. Emerge from the ashes of traditional roles, spread your wings, and fly into the wacky world of Agile Design Iterations and Operational Excellence. Still alive and kicking? Bravo! You’ve embraced the chaos and mastered the unconventional, and now you’re ready to rewrite your rulebook. Give yourself a pat on the back, you quirky intellectual warrior!

--

--

Chad Bercea
Chad Bercea

No responses yet