Towards a Value-Driven DevOps Pipeline: Integrating Human Values into DevOps Practices

Integrating human values into DevOps practices is increasingly essential to ensure ethical and responsible technology development. Traditional DevOps practices emphasize efficiency, automation, and continuous delivery. However, incorporating human values such as privacy, fairness, and inclusivity is crucial for addressing broader ethical concerns. This project, Value-Driven DevOps Pipeline, aims to develop a framework that seamlessly embeds human values throughout the DevOps lifecycle, from coding and integration to testing and deployment. 

Several notable approaches have previously explored integrating human values into software development. For instance, Value-Based Requirements Engineering (VBRE) guides human values elicitation from stakeholders during the requirements phase [1]. Value Sensitive Design (VSD) from the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) field addresses values with ethical import during the design phase by identifying potential harms to stakeholders [2, 3]. Values Q-Sort by Winter et al. measures Schwartz’s values in software engineering [4], focusing on the values of software practitioners rather than user-centric values. Additionally, Values-First Software Engineering (SE) by Ferrario et al. integrates Schwartz’s broader values across all development phases, offering a more comprehensive approach [5]. Hussain et al., [6] explored Human Values to see how it can be addressed in agile methods. 

This project will extend these approaches to DevOps practices, employing Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI techniques to analyze code, documentation, and user feedback for value alignment. By applying the “Five Ws” principle (Who, Where, When, What, Why) to DevOps practices, the project will integrate contextual information such as resource states, network conditions, application requirements, and stakeholders’ perspectives. Agile methodologies will support this integration by allowing for iterative feedback and continuous improvement. 

Key questions arising from this study include whether DevOps practices facilitate the incorporation of human values or if their emphasis on speed and automation might inadvertently obscure or hinder these values. The project will address these concerns by developing a context-proactive engine that uses AI models to make real-time adjustments, ensuring that human values are aligned with every stage of the DevOps lifecycle. 

Ultimately, the Value-Driven DevOps Pipeline project seeks to enhance ethical, responsible, and user-centered software development by embedding human values throughout the DevOps process, addressing both opportunities and challenges in this integration. 

Academic qualifications

A first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, or equivalent achievements ideally in Computer Science.

English language requirement

If your first language is not English, comply with the University requirements for research degree programmes in terms of English language.

Application process

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisor, Saima Rafi (s.rafi@napier.ac.uk) to discuss the content of the project and the fit with their qualifications and skills before preparing an application. 

Contact details

Should you need more information, please email SCEBERDL@napier.ac.uk.

The application must include: 

Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about

• Background and motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
• Research questions or
• Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
• List of references

The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.

• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
• Recent and complete curriculum vitae. The curriculum must include a declaration regarding the English language qualifications of the candidate.
• Supporting documents will have to be submitted by successful candidates.
• Two academic references (but if you have been out of education for more than three years, you may submit one academic and one professional reference), on the form can be downloaded here.

Applications can be submitted here. To be considered, the application must use:

• the advertised title as project title

Download a copy of the project details here