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Both platform engineering and DevOps are IT practices that use agile software development methodologies to reduce time to release and mitigate barriers to development, but each practice comes up at a different time and focuses on a different set of problems. Understanding the differences can help you choose an approach that supports your goals. DevOps is an approach to software development that organizations use to combine development and IT operations functions into iterative workflows. Platform engineering is more about creating the internal platforms and tools that support those workflows. 

DevOps combines 2 areas—development and operations—using tools and processes to bring together teams that have traditionally been isolated from one another within organizations. DevOps uses agile principles—a development methodology that relies on self-managed teams and rapid iteration. Because its implementation requires collaboration between teams, cross-functionality, and building trust and cohesion, DevOps is generally understood as requiring organizational change rather than a simple change in process. The culture of the organization needs to shift to make DevOps possible.

DevOps and agile arose in response to critiques of traditional waterfall software development methods, particularly that waterfall development slows innovation and creates organizational barriers and bottlenecks. In a waterfall system, code requirements are tested for functionality, efficiency, standardization, and documentation before being integrated into an application. Testing these aspects in advance can result in a long process queue that makes it harder for projects to be executed in scope, on time, and on budget, especially when projects are unclear or in flux.

DevOps, on the other hand, uses automation and cyclical processes that allow development teams to move software from development to production quickly and then continuously improve software while in production. DevOps requires closer communication and collaboration among teams through practices that promote shared expertise, and these practices mean product improvements can be integrated and developed in iterations rather than executed in advance with slower release times. Organizations that implement DevOps can improve software systematically over time so teams can adjust to change and try new approaches in ways traditional development models often prevent.