Buzzwords can either quickly convey lots of meaning about complex topics or just be a lot of noise. DevOps is a buzzword that has been hot in the technology space for the last decade. Why has it been so popular? The short answer is that when done well it can increase the efficiency and profitability of businesses built on custom software. Doing it well requires understanding more than just the latest tools. DevOps is not just a set of tools, it is a mindset about how to do the work. Doing it well requires understanding the motivation behind the tools and the universal principles involved.