Zen and the Art of Incremental Automation
by Aji Slater
The video, titled "Zen and the Art of Incremental Automation," presented by Aji Slater at RubyConf 2022, explores the concept of automation in software development, emphasizing that automation does not need to be an all-or-nothing endeavor. Instead, it can be approached gradually through incremental improvements. Aji highlights several key points in their discussion:
- Automation as a Practice: The speaker introduces the idea that automating manual processes is a practice that can be integrated into daily work routines, rather than a one-time overhaul.
- Simplicity of Principles: Aji emphasizes that the principles underlying automation are not complex. They can be simplified and adapted to various workflows, allowing individuals to integrate them into their own work habits effectively.
- Flexibility: The principles discussed are broad enough to apply to different workflows and personal development routines, making automation accessible to everyone.
- Cultivating Habits and Culture: The importance of cultivating a supportive culture around incremental automation is emphasized, which can help teams reduce the friction associated with manual tasks.
- Journey over Destination: Aji encourages teams to view automation as an ongoing journey. Even without achieving a full self-service suite of automated tools, teams can start moving towards a more efficient workflow and less friction in their processes.
Aji's anecdote regarding their upbringing, which contextualizes their reflections about choices (like choosing to walk versus drive), serves as an illustration of making deliberate choices in automation – understanding what to automate and what to retain manually.
In conclusion, the main takeaways from this talk include:
- Automation is a gradual process that can greatly improve workflows.
- Simple principles can guide teams towards effective automation practices.
- Cultivating a culture of automation is crucial for ongoing improvement.
- Teams are encouraged to start their automation journey, no matter how small, to alleviate manual burdens and enhance productivity.
00:00:13.219
Hey there, cats and kittens! I think we'll get started.
00:00:21.539
So, if you give me a moment, I'll do the thing. My name is Aji, and I use they/them pronouns.
00:00:27.539
I also don't know what else to say in these introductions. The highways where I grew up had pedestrian walkways over them. Once, as a young child, I asked, 'What is a pedestrian?,' to which my father replied, 'It's someone who chooses to walk rather than drive a car.'