Danske Bank Chef Journey and Automation Process

This document is a case study detailing Danske Bank's three-year journey in adopting Chef for automation within their Linux infrastructure. It outlines the progressive phases of their implementation: starting with configuration automation, where manual processes were converted into automated ones; followed by iterative improvement, which focused on enhancing automation efficiency and incorporating validation processes; and finally, building a community around Chef to foster broader adoption across the organization. The case study emphasizes the importance of user focus, standardization, and early testing as critical lessons learned during the journey. It also discusses the challenges faced when integrating automation into existing workflows and how the Linux team engaged with other departments to educate them about Chef's functionalities. The document concludes with advice from the team based on their experiences, highlighting the significance of collaboration and adherence to standards in achieving successful automation.