Tools Matter: Automated Builds / Automated Deployments

When our testers ask for a build it takes less than three minutes. Run the candidate build with our automated build tool. When that is completed, open the area where the code dropped on the build machine, find the deployment file and run it (double click it). Wait for the deployment script to finish. Inform the tester that it is done. Done. Like dinner. I can deploy to four environments within this 3 minute time frame. Tools matter. Look for your pain points. Then look to what can help solve that. Automation or other tools to help you speed your process up. Always remember that any new tool comes with a learning curve, but with the right tools the ROI is much higher in the end.