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IntelUsesAgileandDevOpstoTransformItsBusinessOperations.docx

Intel Uses Agile and DevOps to Transform Its Business Operations

AACSB Standards:  Global

To be a leader in technology, you have to be able to adapt to change, and in today’s world, change comes quickly. Intel, one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies, has a supply chain that includes 19,000 suppliers, 2,000 customers, and facilities in 63 countries. Each year, the company fulfills over a million orders and ships over a billion units. To sustain this level of business and adapt to a constantly changing market, Intel brought machine learning into its operations by utilizing DevOps and Agile practices.

According to Aziz Safa, Intel’s chief data officer, “Twenty years ago, we would not make a major change in the enterprise for years. Whereas today you are seeing new offerings come very fast.” According to Safa, developing that agility in Intel’s operations required a shift in thinking across the company.

Starting in 2017, Intel jump-started that shift by training 4,700 employees on the Agile methodology. After seeing success with the Agile approach, the company trained another 3,000 employees. According to the company’s 2018–2019 IT performance report, Intel’s “new scaling framework has created a significant pull in the organization to fully commit to the Agile and DevOps transformation.” The goal is to have a 60 percent testing automation and a 50 percent reduction in time to delivery. To achieve this goal, the DevOps team identified the applications that interoperate and the areas that must operate efficiently to reduce the time to delivery. Using the Agile framework, they are working toward the goal of introducing new systems and applications that will utilize the automated testing process and increase the delivery time for its customers.

Now that the move to Agile and DevOps is underway at Intel, the focus is shifting to better utilizing the data from the systems to make applications operate more efficiently across different platforms. Intel is basing more of their success on cloud and automation platforms. DevOps has paved the way for what is being called the “Common Cloud Core” (C3) and the ability to use PaaS (discussed earlier in the chapter) to enhance the delivery of new systems and increase the scalability of the current systems. Traditionally, systems were designed to run for several years before updates were planned. Intel recognizes that it is “fundamental to any organization that wants to innovate based on technology: digital transformation and DevOps go hand in hand.” A business must be able to move quickly in the ever-changing technology world, and Intel is at the center of this market. Applications must move from the idea state to production in a consistent manner, versus the traditional method that would take months of planning and development. Feedback must be continuous from users to developers to allow for continuous improvements.

By combining DevOps, PaaS, and C3, Intel has automated many of its systems. This automation has allowed for more efficient processing and a cost savings for both company and customers. Intel has taken advantage of release planning, which allows developers to release smaller portions of the system on a more frequent basis. Utilizing the cloud infrastructure, there is no downtime, and end users can provide feedback on a manageable scale. DevOps allows for continuous testing as the development cycle is shorter, and the feedback is faster and on a targeted part of the system. With the tools available through PaaS, there is continuous monitoring of the system to keep applications running at optimum levels. These tools provide developers with performance data so they can improve on any areas that may be under-performing. Intel has been successful in implementing Agile and DevOps. What will be next for this technology giant?

Critical Thinking Questions

1. Intel has been a technology leader for decades. Why do you think it took the company so long to make major changes in the past? Why you think it has taken them so long to make the move to an Agile development method for faster processes.

2. Intel uses a combination of DevOps, C3, and PaaS for development. Do you think PaaS is necessary for DevOps to be successful? Why do you think Intel is using PaaS along with DevOps in the Agile development process? What advantage, or disadvantage, do you think PaaS could have for Intel in the future?

3. What would be some of the criteria you would use to measure the success of a shift to DevOps practices within a company?

Sources: Stephanie Condon, “Scaling Agile, Adopting AI: How Intel Is Making IT a Strategic Part of the Business,” ZDNet, https://www .zdnet.com/article/scaling-agile-adopting-ai-how-intel-is-making-it-a-strategic- part-of-the-business/, April 17, 2019; “Intel IT: Harnessing AI and Analytics to Drive Digital Transformation,” Intel, https://newsroom .intel.com/news/intel-it-harnessing-ai-analytics-drive-digital-transformation/# gs.80wfxd, accessed April 28, 2019; “Driving the Digital Enterprise Transformation: 2018–2019 Intel IT Annual Performance Report,” https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/it-management/intelit- best-practices/intel-it-annual-performance-report-2018-19-paper.html, accessed June 25, 2019; “Integrating Cloud Management Platforms, PaaS and DevOps for Business Effectiveness,” Intel, https://www.intel.com/ content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/white-papers/hybrid-clouddevops- white-paper-fv.pdf, accessed June 25, 2019.

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Rubric

Writing Rubric Template

Writing Rubric Template

Criteria

Ratings

Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFocus

10 to >9.0 pts

Exceeds Expectations

All required components of the assignment are complete or go beyond requirements. The focus on the assignment directly aligns with the prompt and is appropriately narrow for the scope of the assignment.

9 to >7.0 pts

Fully Meets Expectations

All required components of the assignment are complete. The focus on the assignment mostly aligns with the prompt, with some minor sidesteps. It may be narrow enough for the scope of the assignment, but at times is too broad or vague.

7 to >4.0 pts

Somewhat Meets Expectations

Some required components of the assignment are not complete. The focus on the assignment somewhat aligns with the prompt, with sidesteps. It is often too broad, hesitant to directly address the question, for the scope of the assignment.

4 to >0 pts

Does Not Meet Expectations

Many of the required components of the assignment are not complete. The focus on the assignment hardly aligns or does not align with the prompt, with major sidesteps, and is too broad or vague, not directly addressing the question.

10 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContent

10 to >9.0 pts

Exceeds Expectations

The work demonstrates that the student fully understands and has applied concepts learned in the course. Concepts are integrated into the writer’s own insights. The writer provides concluding remarks that show analysis and synthesis of ideas.

9 to >7.0 pts

Fully Meets Expectations

The work demonstrates that the student, for the most part, understands and has applied concepts learned in the course. Some of the conclusions, however, are not supported in the body of the paper.

7 to >4.0 pts

Somewhat Meets Expectations

The work demonstrates that the author, to a certain extent, understands and has applied concepts learned in the course, but is missing important connections or misunderstanding some aspects of the content.

4 to >0 pts

Does Not Meet Expectations

The work does not demonstrate that the student has understood and applied concepts learned in the course.

10 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization

10 to >9.0 pts

Exceeds Expectations

Writing shows high degree of attention to logic and reasoning of main points. Unity clearly leads the reader to the conclusion and stirs thought regarding the topic.

9 to >7.0 pts

Meets Expectations

For the most part, the work ties together information smoothly with an understanding of connections. Paper flows with only some disjointedness, but ultimately follows logical idea sequences and patterns.

7 to >4.0 pts

Somewhat Meets Expectations

Sometimes ties together information from all sources. Paper does not flow - disjointedness is apparent. Author's writing does not demonstrate an understanding of the relationship among material obtained from all sources.

4 to >0 pts

Does Not Meet Expectations

The work does not tie together the knowledge learned in the course. It does not flow and appears to be created from disparate issues. Writing does not demonstrate understanding any relationships between ideas.

10 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDevelopment

10 to >9.0 pts

Exceeds Expectations

Exceptionally well- presented and argued; ideas are detailed, well- developed, supported with specific evidence & facts, as well as examples and specific details.

9 to >7.0 pts

Meets Expectations

Well-presented and argued; ideas are mostly detailed, developed and supported with evidence and details, mostly specific.

7 to >4.0 pts

Somewhat Meets Expectations

Main points are present but not particularly developed or supported; some evidence, but usually of a generalized nature.

4 to >0 pts

No Marks

Main points lack detailed development. Ideas are vague with little evidence of critical thinking.

10 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConventions & Grammar

5 to >4.0 pts

Exceeds Expectations

No spelling or grammar mistakes.

4 to >3.0 pts

Meets Expectations

Minor spelling & grammar mistakes that do not impede the flow and comprehension of the work.

3 to >2.0 pts

Somewhat Meets Expectations

Noticeable spelling & grammar mistakes that somewhat impede the flow and comprehension of the work.

2 to >0 pts

Does Not Meet Expectations

Unacceptable number of spelling and/or grammar mistakes. The mistakes severely impede the flow and comprehension of the work.

5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFormatting & Citations

5 to >4.0 pts

Exceeds Expectations

The work is formatted according to directions. It is professionally presented with clear organization. Outside sources are properly cited with no errors.

4 to >3.0 pts

Meets Expectations

The work is mostly formatted according to directions. It is professionally presented with minor questions about organization. Outside sources are cited with minor errors.

3 to >2.0 pts

Somewhat Meets Expectations

The work is somewhat formatted according to directions with obvious inconsistencies. It lacks a professional presentation or clear organization. There is an attempt to cite outside sources, but with many errors.

2 to >0 pts

Does Not Meet Expectations

The work is not formatted according to directions or lacks formatting altogether. It lacks a professional appearance. Outside sources are not cited or contain major errors or misleading information.

5 pts

Total Points: 50