Azure DevOps Hackathon

Course Overview

This intensive 2-3 day guided hackathon provides hands-on experience building complete DevOps solutions using Azure DevOps services and GitHub. Participants will progress through a series of practical challenges that demonstrate the entire DevOps lifecycle, from project planning and version control to continuous integration, deployment, and monitoring. By working through real-world scenarios, teams will develop comprehensive DevOps workflows that integrate security best practices and operational monitoring.

Target Audience

• Software developers transitioning to DevOps practices
• Operations professionals seeking automation and CI/CD expertise
• Solutions architects working with Azure DevOps services and GitHub
• Technical leads responsible for development team productivity
• IT professionals looking to modernize development workflows

Prerequisites

• Basic understanding of software development lifecycle
• Familiarity with version control concepts (Git preferred)
• Understanding of web application deployment fundamentals
• Azure account with appropriate permissions
• Basic knowledge of YAML syntax (helpful but not required)

Learning Objectives

By the end of this hackathon, participants will be able to:

• Assess organizational readiness for DevOps transformation and establish project management workflows
• Configure Azure Boards for agile project management and work item tracking
• Set up Azure Repos or GitHub for version control with integrated work item management
• Deploy infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code practices with ARM templates
• Build automated CI/CD pipelines for application development and deployment
• Implement Git branching strategies and repository policies for team collaboration
• Configure comprehensive monitoring and automated feedback loops
• Integrate security scanning tools to implement DevSecOps practices

Challenge Structure & Learning Path

Foundation & Project Management

Challenge 1: Azure DevOps Introduction

• Understand core motivations and benefits of DevOps practices
• Complete organizational DevOps maturity assessment
• Establish team structure and communication protocols
• Configure Azure DevOps organization and project settings

Challenge 2: Azure Boards - Agile Project Management

• Set up product backlogs, sprints, and work item hierarchies
• Configure custom work item types and workflows
• Implement agile planning and tracking methodologies
• Create dashboards and reporting for project visibility

Version Control & Repository Management

Challenge 3: Azure Repos Introduction

• Initialize Azure Git repositories or GitHub repositories with proper structure
• Integrate repository commits with Azure Boards work items
• Configure repository settings and permissions for both Azure Repos and GitHub
• Demonstrate basic Git workflows within chosen platform interface

Infrastructure Automation & CI/CD

Challenge 4: Infrastructure as Code with Azure Pipelines

• Create ARM templates for application infrastructure
• Build deployment pipelines for infrastructure provisioning using Azure Pipelines or GitHub Actions
• Implement parameter management and environment-specific configurations
• Validate infrastructure deployment through automated testing

Challenge 5: Continuous Integration Pipeline

• Configure automated build triggers and build validation
• Implement multi-stage build processes with testing integration
• Set up artifact management and build output handling
• Create branch policies that enforce CI requirements

Challenge 6: Continuous Delivery Pipeline

• Build release pipelines with approval workflows using Azure Pipelines or GitHub Actions
• Configure environment-specific deployment strategies
• Implement blue-green and canary deployment patterns
• Set up automated rollback mechanisms

Advanced DevOps Practices

Challenge 7: Git Branching & Repository Policies

• Implement Git Flow or GitHub Flow branching strategies
• Configure branch protection policies and pull request requirements
• Set up automated code review processes in Azure Repos or GitHub
• Establish merge policies and conflict resolution procedures

Challenge 8: Application Monitoring with Azure Application Insights

• Configure Application Insights for comprehensive application monitoring
• Set up automated work item creation from monitoring alerts
• Implement performance and availability monitoring
• Create custom dashboards for operational insights

Challenge 9: DevSecOps with OSS Scanning

• Integrate WhiteSource Bolt or GitHub Advanced Security for open source vulnerability scanning
• Configure security scanning within CI/CD pipelines
• Implement security gates and compliance checks
• Establish processes for vulnerability remediation

Key Technologies & Services

• Project Management: Azure Boards, Azure DevOps Projects
• Version Control: Azure Repos, GitHub, Git, Branch Protection Policies
• CI/CD: Azure Pipelines, GitHub Actions, YAML Pipeline Configuration, Self-hosted Runners
• Infrastructure: ARM Templates, Azure Resource Manager, GitHub Environments
• Monitoring: Azure Application Insights, Azure Monitor
• Security: WhiteSource Bolt, GitHub Advanced Security, Dependency Scanning
• Integration: REST APIs, Webhooks, Service Hooks, Marketplace Extensions

Platform Flexibility

This hackathon is designed to accommodate teams using either Azure DevOps or GitHub as their primary development platform:

Azure DevOps Path: Full integration using Azure Boards, Azure Repos, and Azure Pipelines for end-to-end workflow management within the Microsoft ecosystem.

GitHub Path: Leverage GitHub repositories, GitHub Actions, and GitHub Projects while integrating with Azure services for deployment and monitoring.

Hybrid Approach: Combine the best of both platforms by using GitHub for source control and GitHub Actions alongside Azure Boards for project management.

Business Scenario Context

Participants work with a modern development team transitioning from traditional development practices to comprehensive DevOps workflows. The scenario includes:

• Legacy manual deployment processes requiring automation
• Need for improved collaboration between development and operations teams
• Requirements for faster, more reliable software delivery
• Compliance and security requirements that must be integrated into workflows
• Scaling challenges that require standardized, repeatable processes
• Platform choice considerations between Azure DevOps and GitHub

Deliverables & Success Criteria

Each challenge includes specific success criteria and deliverables:

• Functional DevOps environment with properly configured services (Azure DevOps or GitHub)
• Working CI/CD pipelines demonstrating full automation from code to production
• Implemented branching strategy with enforced policies and automated testing
• Deployed applications with comprehensive monitoring and alerting
• Security scanning integration with automated vulnerability detection
• Documentation of established workflows and team processes
• Platform recommendation based on organizational needs and constraints

Assessment & Certification

• Hands-on challenge completion with coach validation
• Technical demonstrations of working DevOps workflows
• Team presentations showcasing process improvements and business impact
• Platform selection rationale and implementation strategy
• Optional: Azure DevOps and GitHub certification pathway recommendations

Additional Resources

• Microsoft Learn modules for Azure DevOps services
• GitHub Learning Lab and documentation resources
• Sample pipeline templates and configuration examples for both platforms
• DevOps best practices documentation and team guidance
• Post-hackathon learning paths and community resources
• Platform migration guides and decision frameworks

This hackathon provides practical, real-world experience implementing DevOps practices across multiple platforms, preparing participants to lead DevOps adoption initiatives and make informed tooling decisions in their own organizations.