Ever wondered what it takes to climb the ladder from Salesforce developer to Salesforce architect to Salesforce manager in the complex and fast-paced ecosystem we live in?

In this episode of DevOps Diaries, host Jack McCurdy sits down with Salesforce leader Jessica Riffe to uncover her incredible journey. Get ready for a deep dive into the evolution of Salesforce DevOps, the secrets to impactful documentation, and the real-world challenges (and triumphs!) of growing a high-performing team.

If you're navigating your own DevOps transformation or looking to elevate your team's collaboration, Jessica's hard-won insights on pipelines, understanding DevOps user needs, and effective communication are pure gold.

Don't miss these invaluable lessons – listen to the full episode now!

About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset:
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW

Valerio Chang from Gearset chats to Jack about the evolving landscape of customer support in SaaS companies. Valerio offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Gearset has built a world-class support team, leaning into the importance of truly understanding customer needs and using documentation to elevate user experiences.

Valerio delves into the unique challenges of supporting customers in the Salesforce ecosystem, and how the nature of Salesforce DevOps conversations has matured over time. Valerio discusses Gearset’s mission to act not just as a tool provider but as a trusted advisor, helping users navigate complexity through empathy, curiosity, and continuous improvement.

Throughout the conversation, Valerio highlights the power of asking the right questions, the role of customer feedback in shaping product development, and the fulfilment that comes from solving meaningful problems. The episode wraps with a thoughtful reflection on the human side of support and the profound impact it can have on the people behind the tickets.

About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset:
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW

Think database skills are dead in the Salesforce era? Think again.

In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Jack McCurdy talks to Chris Starleaf of Zinc Partners, who argues they're more relevant than ever. Listen in as Chris shares insights from his Salesforce journey, exploring why tech pros need sales skills, the crucial balance between quick wins and long-term strategy, and the vital role of data governance.

They tackle the generalist vs. specialist debate and discuss how strong leadership and team development drive success.

Want to build better data strategies and lead more effectively in the Salesforce ecosystem? Don't miss this episode!

About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset:
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Chris Starleaf and His Journey
03:02 The Relevance of Database Management in Salesforce
06:00 Sales Skills for Tech Professionals
09:12 Understanding Different Roles in Salesforce
11:52 Balancing Quick Wins with Long-Term Success
14:59 The Importance of Data Governance
18:09 The Role of Generalists vs. Specialists
20:58 Fostering Pride in Data Management
23:55 Building a Data Governance Strategy
27:03 Team Leadership and Development
29:53 Creating Efficient Processes
33:13 Navigating the Salesforce Ecosystem
36:08 Conclusion and Contact Information

From his early days in the Salesforce ecosystem to becoming a driving force behind Okta’s DevOps strategy, Varun shares candid insights and hard-won lessons.

Jack McCurdy sits down with Varun Kavoori, Principal Salesforce DevOps Engineer at Okta, for a deep dive into his career journey and the evolving world of Salesforce DevOps.

Jack and Varun explore how Okta approaches release management, the power of flexible DevOps practices, and why setting strong guardrails is key to compliance and scale.

Varun lifts the lid on the tools and tactics that keep his team running smoothly, especially on high-stakes release days, and looks ahead to the growing role of AI in the DevOps space.

Whether you’re a seasoned Salesforce engineer or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways and fresh perspectives.

About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset:
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Varun Kavoori and His Journey
03:06 Understanding the Role of DevOps in Salesforce
06:08 Release Management at Okta
08:55 Building a Flexible DevOps Process
11:54 Guardrails and Compliance in Releases
15:00 Scaling the Team and Managing Growth
18:02 Challenges with Metadata and Deployment
20:54 Release Day Process and Code Freeze
23:51 Tools and Techniques for DevOps Success
26:53 Future of DevOps and AI Integration
29:53 Excitement for Salesforce Innovations

Megan Tuano shares her unique journey into the tech industry, the importance of communication, questions, and the value of empathy in customer service.

She discusses her experiences with Salesforce and the significance of building relationships, emphasizing that success comes from being authentic and understanding the human aspect of technology. Megan and Jack also explore various themes surrounding customer service, the journey of content creation on YouTube, the challenges of balancing careers and parenthood.

They wrap up by discussing the impact of artificial intelligence on business analysis, how to craft effective user stories, and how shifting left collaboratively harnesses the best results.

Learn more:
- Salesforce release management best practices.
- How to deploy Agentforce.
- DevOps for enterprise Salesforce implementations.

About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset:
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:08 Breaking into Tech: Overcoming Misconceptions
05:53 The Role of Communication in Tech
08:49 The Importance of Asking Questions
11:59 Shift Left: Identifying Issues Early
15:01 Building Relationships in Tech
18:02 Empathy in Customer Service
20:58 Salesforce Experience and Insights
23:54 The Relationship Between Customer Service and Tech
28:00 Navigating Customer Service Challenges
30:55 Creating on YouTube
33:57 Balancing Parenthood and Careers
35:57 The Role of AI in Business Analysis
40:00 Crafting Effective User Stories
43:02 Collaboration Between Teams for Success
47:04 Building Community and Finding Your Why

How do DORA metrics apply to the unique challenges of Salesforce development? Join Jack McCurdy and Nathan Harvey as they dive into the evolving landscape of software delivery, exploring the intersection of platform engineering, AI, and human performance.

They discuss practical strategies for implementing DORA metrics, navigating the shift to agile, and reducing developer burnout. In this episode they uncover how to foster empathy, improve team collaboration, and leverage AI to enhance your Salesforce development processes.

Expect insights on effective tooling, communication strategies, and the importance of questioning the status quo to drive innovation.

Learn more:
- Everything you need to know about Agentforce
- Insights from the latest DORA report
- How to apply DORA metrics to Salesforce

About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset:
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to DORA and Its Importance
02:57 Understanding Software Delivery Performance Metrics
06:01 Challenges in Measuring Metrics in Salesforce
09:04 The Role of Platform Engineering
12:04 AI's Impact on Software Delivery
17:57 Navigating AI in Development and Deployment
29:38 Understanding Customer Needs in AI Development
30:43 The Journey of Continuous Improvement
32:45 Collaboration in Salesforce Teams
36:07 Effective Communication Strategies
40:12 The Shift from Waterfall to Continuous Improvement
42:25 Reducing Developer Burnout
48:24 Building Empathy with Users
53:10 Challenging the Status Quo

Wade Wegner was a key member of the team that helped reshape the developer landscape at Salesforce. In his conversation with Jack, Wade recounts his journey from navigating the once-dreaded development platform, to spearheading groundbreaking initiatives which we now know as SalesforceDX.

He explains how the introduction of Scratch Orgs and a strategic shift to VS Code revolutionized the developer experience, transforming complex challenges into agile, collaborative opportunities.Wade breaks down the evolution of key projects, from Project Janus laying the groundwork, to early concepts like DevOps Center and Code Builder, that set the stage for today’s fast-paced development environment.

He also shares insights on the critical role of ISVs, the importance of strategic planning and team alignment, and the delicate balance between core features and new technologies. With his deep consulting background and a passion for collaboration, Wade reveals how building trust and strong relationships with engineering peers is essential to delivering real value and solving complex problems in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Tune in for an engaging discussion packed with real-world lessons on innovation, teamwork, and the transformative power of a forward-thinking approach to product development.

Learn more:
- Gearset for SalesforceDX teams
- SalesforceDX whitepaper
- Gearset's Agentforce deployment solution

About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Wade Wagner and SalesforceDX
03:04 The Evolution of Salesforce Developer Experience
05:52 Wade's Transition from Microsoft to Salesforce
08:55 The Birth of SalesforceDX and Project Janus
11:54 Building a Cohesive Product Suite
14:47 The Role of ISVs in Salesforce's Success
17:54 Innovations in Developer Tools and Practices
25:48 Revolutionizing Salesforce Interaction
27:09 The Developer Experience and Salesforce DX
28:22 Building the CLI: A Game Changer
30:53 Transitioning to VS Code: A Strategic Move
33:24 The Evolution of DevOps Center
34:43 Challenges in Innovation and Development
36:54 Understanding Packaging and Its Complexity
39:23 Navigating Change in Salesforce's Focus
41:58 The Importance of Trust in AI Agents
44:40 Lessons Learned from Salesforce Experience

Jack McCurdy is joined by Ian Gotts and Jack Lavous from Elements.cloud to discuss the transformative impact of Agentforce within the Salesforce ecosystem.

In this episode we explore how Elements.cloud implemented Agentforce internally, emphasizing the importance of well-defined business processes and the role of business analysis in building effective agents. The conversation delves into the Job to Be Done framework, the challenges organizations face in adopting agents, and the necessity of documentation and structured approaches to ensure success.

Jack Lavous offers insights into the actual build process of agents and the importance of making documentation AI-ready, how to use prompt templates, data cloud strategies, and deployment using Gearset.

They also discuss the significance of internal trust and the return on investment from implementing AI agents, while also expressing excitement for the future of AI technology in business.

Learn more:

- Deploy Agentforce with Gearset
- What is Agentforce?
- How to effectively document Salesforce processes

About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset:
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Agentforce and Its Impact
01:47 Elements Cloud's Implementation Journey
06:00 Understanding Topics and Their Importance
09:59 The Role of Business Analysis in Building Agents
13:56 Applying the Job to Be Done Framework
17:54 Challenges in Building Agents and Organizational Readiness
22:00 Starting the Fix: Documentation and Business Processes
25:57 The Implementation Process of Agents
28:14 Understanding AI Language and Communication
33:10 The Learning Curve of AI Agents
35:47 Designing Effective Prompt Templates
37:57 The Role of Data Cloud in AI Implementation
43:11 Return on Investment and Internal Trust
51:06 Looking Ahead: The Future of AI Agents