My Life is just like a Software Application Development

As an IT student and worker, specializing in Computer Science and Engineering, with a focus on DevOps Engineering and Cloud Infrastructure Engineering, I've come to realize the importance of certain aspects of life. What's fascinating is that the process I've observed in the Software Development life cycle is just a light version of what my own life closely resembles. This parallel connection makes sense because the model was created by humans to effectively manage systems in our lives.

Now, let me explain what the "Software Development Life Cycle" means for those who may not be familiar with the term. Don't worry about that, trust me, It's very straightforward. Imagine a world where creative minds come together to develop incredible applications for devices like Android phones, computers, or iPhones. Here's the best part: this process is followed by almost every company, especially the big ones. Why? Because it provides a structured and efficient approach that ensures high-quality outcomes for their applications. It's like having a secret recipe for success! And guess what? By following this framework, they minimize conflicts among different teams, fostering a harmonious and collaborative environment.

I simply feel that this concept and model have the power to hack our lives and bring about a much-needed sense of structure. The result? A remarkable improvement in the quality of our experiences, making life itself more valuable and fulfilling.

We'll start with PLAN

Defining Life Goals and Objectives is an essential step in both the Software Development lifecycle and our personal lives. In the planning stage, teams establish their goals and objectives for the software project. Similarly, in life, we set our own personal goals and envision the life we want to lead. Just as planning guides teams in the software development journey, it also helps us chart a course toward realizing our aspirations.

To make our goals more achievable, I've discovered a useful framework known as S.M.A.R.T. This acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

• Specific (I usually use 5W1H questions to make the plans more specific).
• Measurable (Ensure that you have success metrics or simply put at what point you will succeed in your life?).
• Achievable (We agreed that it was doable and attainable considering all the challenges available ahead).
• Relevant (Ensuring the demand, situation, and condition so the plan will be much more reasonable, realistic, aligned with resources, and results-based).
• Time-bound (time-based, time-limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive).

Create or Develop

Continuous Learning and Skill Enhancement The development stage involves building and coding the software application in every module. In life, this phase reflects continuous learning and skill enhancement. We invest in education, acquire new knowledge, and develop our skills to adapt to the evolving landscape of opportunities. Just as Software engineers refine their code, we refine ourselves by learning and growing.

Build and Compile

The build stage represents the process of constructing the software application, including writing and organizing the code. It is crucial to ensure that the code not only functions effectively but also performs efficiently, utilizing limited resources optimally. In life, this phase involves acquiring the expertise necessary to build a strong foundation for our personal and professional growth. Similar to how developers build an application, we construct ourselves by expanding our knowledge and honing our skills with small resources yet high-quality outcomes, and efficient solutions.

Test

Overcoming Challenges and Self-Reflection Testing in the lifecycle ensures that the software application meets quality standards. In our lives, this stage represents facing challenges and self-reflection. Sometimes we did a mistake too, but It's normal. We encounter obstacles and setbacks that test our resilience and enrich our problem-solving abilities afterward. Through self-reflection, we identify areas for improvement and refine our approach to overcome the challenges we encounter.

Deploy or Release

Taking Action and Embracing New Experiences, the deployment stage involves releasing the software application to users. Similarly, in life, this phase symbolizes taking action and embracing new experiences. We step out of our comfort zones, seize opportunities, and apply what we have learned. By deploying ourselves into new situations, we expand our horizons and discover personal and professional growth. Just as users interact with software applications, people will recognize us for our contributions and the value we bring. Whether it's in our professional field or personal relationships, our deployment of skills and experiences enables us to make a positive impact on others' lives.

Operate

Just as the operations teams are responsible for deploying and managing the software application with minimal interaction from the development teams, there is an analogous aspect in life where we take charge of certain responsibilities independently, without direct involvement from others. During these times, we rely on our own knowledge, skills, and expertise to ensure smooth operations and effective management. We may need to make independent decisions, troubleshoot any issues that arise, and continually monitor and maintain the desired state of affairs. It highlights the importance of self-reliance, decision-making, and effective management to ensure the smooth functioning and desired outcomes in different aspects of our lives.

Monitor

Reflecting on progress and goal realignment monitoring is an essential part of the lifecycle, ensuring optimal performance and identifying areas for improvement. Similarly, in life, we need to regularly reflect on our progress and realign our goals. Are we disciplined and reliable enough to meet the demands? Do we feel overwhelmed by certain metrics? By monitoring our achievements and failures, we can make necessary adjustments to our plan iterations and redefine our path toward our success metrics.

Final Thoughts

As I reflect upon my journey through the lens of the lifecycle, I am amazed by the striking resemblance between the principles of Development - Operations and the stages of personal growth. By adopting this mindset in both our personal and professional lives, we can engage in intentional, collaborative, and continuously improving development. Just as the processes mentioned above are known as Development-Operations or DevOps, which aim for efficient software delivery, we can strive for a purposeful and fulfilling life. Let us embark on this DevOps-inspired journey, leveraging its principles to optimize our personal growth and achieve success in all aspects of life.

Thank you!