DevOps and beyond: A methodological edge for Eli5.

Agile and lean development: Building with precision and speed

For us, Agile and Lean Development are more than buzzwords—they're at the core of how we operate. Agile gives our team the flexibility to shift focus when needed, ensuring we’re aligned with user feedback and market trends without losing momentum. Lean Development pushes us to do more with less, focusing on what delivers real value and cutting out the fluff.
We don’t copy-paste textbook Agile or Lean; we adapt the principles that fit best for each project. For instance, in Agile, we use shorter sprints for rapid iteration, allowing us to demo new features quickly and gather client feedback in real-time. This helps us make necessary changes without derailing the project’s timeline. From Lean, we take the focus on validated learning, applying it during development to confirm which features matter most before investing significant resources.
Our goal isn’t to stick to rigid frameworks for the sake of process, it’s to keep the workflow efficient and adaptable. We use Agile to maintain a rhythm that prioritizes progress and iteration, keeping our team engaged and our clients in the loop. Lean Development complements this by ensuring every step has purpose, so we can pivot without waste and get products to market faster without sacrificing quality.
An example of this blended approach was when we developed a regulatory change management tool for a global bank. We structured the project using Agile sprints to release core functionalities such as compliance tracking and collaborative document management quickly. Lean Development principles were applied by running targeted experiments to assess the impact of advanced features like automated policy updates. This allowed us to gather data from compliance teams across different regions and refine the tool's direction without wasting time on elements that weren’t essential.
This blend means that whether we're in the idea validation phase or scaling an MVP, we're always moving with purpose, adjusting as we learn, and refining as we grow. It’s the difference between creating something that looks good on paper and building a product that thrives in the real world.

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Dual-track agile and continuous discover

Building and learning run side by side within our organization. That’s where Dual-Track Agile comes in. This methodology ensures that while one team is focused on delivery and development, another is immersed in continuous discovery. This way, we're not just coding blindly; we’re validating hypotheses, talking to users, and making sure that what we’re building aligns with real needs.
Continuous discovery fuels better product decisions. We test assumptions, gather feedback, and pivot when necessary—without disrupting the development flow. This dual-track approach keeps our team sharp and adaptable, balancing execution with real-time learning. It’s not about blindly following a roadmap; it’s about making sure the path we’re on is the right one, even if it means making adjustments mid-sprint.
When we were developing a SaaS platform for logistics management, the delivery team started coding based on initial features that streamlined route planning and cargo tracking. Meanwhile, our discovery team interviewed dispatchers and logistics managers to understand their day-to-day pain points. We discovered that while route optimization was valuable, what they truly needed was better real-time communication with drivers to handle unexpected delays.
Armed with these insights, we shifted mid-development to include an integrated messaging system, enabling dispatchers to send updates and reroute drivers on the fly. This pivot added significant value to the platform, ensuring that when we launched, we met an actual market demand rather than just ticking off a feature checklist.
This strategy creates a seamless bridge between what users need and what we’re building. It eliminates wasted effort and ensures that every new feature or adjustment is backed by data and real user insights. This constant feedback loop helps us stay ahead of the game and ensures that when we deliver, we deliver right.

Design thinking for user-centric solutions

Design Thinking is our go-to approach for keeping user needs at the forefront. Design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about solving real problems in ways that resonate with users. We dive deep into the user experience from the start, analyzing what motivates, frustrates, and engages people.
Cross-disciplinary collaboration is key. We involve stakeholders from different areas early in the process, bringing diverse viewpoints that enrich ideation and create a stronger product strategy. This ensures that every aspect of the solution is considered, leading to more holistic and effective outcomes.
To move fast and align teams, we often run iterative workshops where product owners, designers, and engineers brainstorm and prototype within days. This rapid alignment allows us to test concepts quickly without overcommitting resources. Mapping out the user journey helps us identify key touchpoints, potential pain points, and moments of delight, ensuring that every interaction adds value.
Design Thinking fuels rapid prototyping and feedback-driven iteration. We test, tweak, and test again to refine the product until it seamlessly integrates into users' lives. This continuous loop of learning and adjusting allows us to spot potential pivots early, saving time and resources while boosting product impact.
The power of Design Thinking lies in its flexibility. It keeps our teams aligned, user-focused, and ready to adapt as we push from concept to launch and beyond. It’s a mindset that transforms products from being just functional to being indispensable.

Test-driven development: Building quality from the start

We don’t just code and hope for the best—we make sure quality is baked in from the beginning. That’s where Test-Driven Development (TDD) comes in. The idea is simple: write the tests before the code. This upfront approach may seem counterintuitive to those who want to dive straight into building, but we know it’s a game changer.
TDD forces us to define what success looks like for every piece of functionality before we build it. This means fewer bugs, fewer rewrites, and more reliable code. It’s like setting a bar that the code has to clear right out of the gate, keeping development efficient and consistent. Plus, with tests in place, future updates don’t turn into risky undertakings.
Here is a simple example of a TDD case within Eli5. We were tasked with building an event management platform where users could book and manage tickets. Instead of coding the booking functionality and testing it afterward, we first outlined specific test cases: ensuring users could book, cancel, and modify tickets seamlessly. Only after these tests were set did we move forward with coding. This approach meant that as the platform scaled and new features were added, we knew that the foundational booking functionality would remain solid. Any updates were confidently deployed because we had a reliable safety net in place.
While for many TDD feels like extra costs for the project, done right it actually decreases overal costs while lifting up the quality of the code and the product. We believe in moving fast, but fast doesn’t mean sloppy. TDD helps us build scalable, maintainable products that stand the test of time.

Continuous integration/deployment: Streamlining releases

Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) are fundamental parts of our development DNA. We believe in a streamlined, automated pipeline that makes releasing code quick, reliable, and stress-free. This means integrating code frequently, testing it rigorously, and deploying updates without the dreaded release-day chaos1.
The purpose behind CI/CD is simple: speed and quality. By automating the testing and deployment phases, we reduce the chances of human error and maintain a consistent release cycle. This keeps our teams focused on building and improving the product rather than scrambling to fix unexpected issues at the last minute.
We adapted CI/CD to fit even the most complex projects. Take, for instance, a LLM-based product we developed for a global research organization, which had to integrate seamlessly with their enterprise infrastructure. Due to the product’s complexity and the sensitive nature of the data, the stakes were high. Our CI/CD pipeline ensured that new code was automatically tested against various scenarios, including security checks and performance benchmarks. This approach helped us spot potential issues early, allowing us to release reliable updates fast and smooth.
By incorporating Continuous Integration and Deployment, we cut down on manual testing and hand-offs between development and operations. The result? Faster time-to-market, fewer bottlenecks, and a higher standard of quality across the board. Having a reliable CI/CD process means we can keep pace with change and deliver without compromise.

DevOps: Bridging development and operations

DevOps bridges the gap between development and operations to create seamless collaboration. At Eli5 it's plays a fundamental role in building systems that scale, adapt, and perform. DevOps ensures our development process aligns with real-world operational demands, leading to smoother deployments and faster feedback loops.
The strength of DevOps lies in its ability to break down silos, making teams work together towards common goals. Instead of development building a product and operations figuring out how to maintain it later, both teams engage from day one. This continuous collaboration streamlines workflows, enhances system reliability, and cuts down on post-launch surprises.
We integrate automated monitoring and incident response into our DevOps practice. This means any issues that arise post-deployment are quickly identified, communicated, and resolved. The approach is proactive, not reactive—allowing us to maintain high availability and performance for every product we launch.
DevOps at Eli5 is about finding the sweet spot between development agility and operational stability. It goes further than building fast; it’s about building fast and smart, ensuring that what we deliver is ready for the demands of the real world from day one.

A methodological edge for long-term success

Methodologies are strategic levers that allow us to maintain quality, speed, and adaptability. For us it's all about a pragmatic approach—one that evolves with the project and adapts to real-world challenges. From Lean Development to DevOps, each methodology we employ is chosen for how it aligns with the product's needs, not just for the sake of following trends.
Our process is designed for continuous learning and improvement. Whether we’re using Agile to stay responsive or leveraging Dual-Track Agile for parallel discovery and delivery, our methodologies enable us to adapt without losing sight of the end goal. This balance ensures that we can pivot when needed, refine as we go, and scale with confidence.
Success at Eli5 isn’t defined by delivering a product that only looks good on launch day. It’s about building a foundation that supports growth, innovation, and long-term usability. Each methodology we integrate is a piece of a larger puzzle that keeps the product—and our clients—ahead of the curve.
Methodologies are the gears that keep our machine running smoothly, ensuring that every project we take on is built the best way possible.

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