How I Explain DevOps tools to Non-Engineers
DevOps tools are tools use to facilitate the different stages involved in Software development and the lifecycle of an operation, which then promotes collaboration, continuous delivery, and automation.
When someone who isn't an engineer hears words like Git, Kubernetes, Docker, Jenkins, Grafana, or Prometheus. Their eyes often glaze over. But as a technical writer and developer advocate, I know part of my job is making sure everyone on the team from project managers to stakeholder understands why these tools are important and thier various usecases.
In this article, we will talk about how I break down DevOps tools for non-technical audience, and why it is an important skill for anyone working in modern software teams.
Using Relatable Analogies
An analogy is a comparison between two different things that share similar characteristics. If done right, an analogy will make complex information easy to understand and easy to remember.
Examples:
- Jenkins
Jenkins is a highly popular DevOps tool. It enables the developer build, test, and deploy there software by managing and controlling several stages of the software delivery process.
“Think of it like a video production team. The mm is 1director (developer) will submit the raw footage (code). The editor (Jenkins) will cut, color grade, and check continuity (build and test). Once everything is done the final cut is rendered and published (deployed). Jenkins ensures the film is ready for production.”
- Kubernetes
Kubernetes (K8s) is an open-source container orchestration platform that automatically deploys, scales, and manages containerized applications. This works by grouping containers into Pods ( which are the smallest deployable units) that house your application, scheduling them to run on Nodes, and maintaining the users desired state through it's Control Plane
“Think of an airport with a lot of planes (applications) landing and taking off. The control tower (Kubernetes) will decide which runway each plane should use, it will keeo flights from colliding, and ensures everything runs on time, even if a runway closes without warning
Remove Jargon
Jargons are phrases, words, and acronyms which are particular to an industry which only people working in that field understand, this includes technical terms and slangs used in that industry. E.g→ ‘Yak shaving’, ‘Ship’, ‘Dev’
Jargon alienates readers faster than anything.
Example:
❌ “Immutable container deployment pipelines ensure reliable orchestration.”
✅ “We run the app in a safe box that doesn’t change, so it behaves the same everywhere.”
What I have found to help translate jargon is pausing after every technical word and either rephrasing it or asking myself if my reader will know what it means.
Connect Tools to Real Problems
Non-Enginers don't care about the tool itself, they care only about what problems it can solve. That's why I always start by showing why they should care first before showing off what the tool can do. A tool is only important when it can solve a problem your audience may face.
For example:
Instead of saying “Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform” start by stating the real issue, which is “Your app crashes when traffic spikes, and your team spends valuable hours restarting it manually”
Once the problem has been identified, I find a connection between the tools specific features and the pain points i’ve identified.
Use Visuals
Visuals are not just for aesthetics. They are strategic additions that help remove friction from understanding. A good visual is your readers mental shortcut to understanding the core idea.
I frequently use Visuals like Flowcharts, Diagrams, Screenshots, Tables, and Illustrations.
When possible, I pair visuals with captions explaining what they mean. For example an Icon of a wrench is not clear enough without a label “Automated Testing: Catching bugs before they reach the users.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, effectively communicating the purpose and functionality of DevOps tools to non-engineers is important for fostering collaboration and understanding within modern software teams. By using relatable analogies, removing jargon, connecting tools to real-world problems, and incorporating visuals, we can bridge the gap between technical and non-technical team members. This approach not only enhances team cohesion but also ensures that everyone is aligned with the project's goals and the tools being used to achieve them. As technology continues to evolve, mastering this skill will remain an invaluable asset in any collaborative environment.
