Orchestration in infrastructure delivery refers to the structured coordination of automated processes that manage the lifecycle of infrastructure resources. It aims to streamline operations while ensuring compliance and governance.
Key takeaways
Orchestration integrates various automated steps into a cohesive workflow.
It enhances visibility and control over infrastructure provisioning.
Effective orchestration reduces provisioning time significantly.
In plain language
Orchestration in infrastructure delivery is crucial for organizations that need to manage complex environments efficiently. For instance, a financial institution like Banco Bradesco transformed its infrastructure delivery process by implementing orchestration. This shift allowed them to reduce provisioning time from 80 days to just 5 days, enabling faster deployment of digital products. A common misconception is that automation alone suffices; however, without orchestration, automation can lead to fragmented processes and compliance risks. Orchestration ensures that all automated tasks work together seamlessly, maintaining governance while accelerating delivery.
Technical breakdown
In technical terms, orchestration involves coordinating multiple automated tasks in a predefined sequence. This can include validation, provisioning, and post-installation workflows. For example, Bradesco utilized Terraform as the orchestration engine, integrating it with CI/CD pipelines and governance policies. This approach allowed them to enforce compliance checks automatically and maintain a complete audit trail of infrastructure changes. By embedding governance into the orchestration process, organizations can ensure that all deployments meet regulatory requirements without slowing down the delivery cycle.
For organizations looking to implement orchestration in their infrastructure delivery, it's essential to focus on creating a centralized control plane. This involves integrating various tools and processes into a cohesive framework that supports automation while enforcing governance. By doing so, businesses can achieve faster deployment times and improved compliance, ultimately enhancing their operational efficiency.