Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

The rapid evolution of DevSecOps Practices has transformed the way organizations design, deploy, and manage enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. As institutions seek to modernize legacy processes, DevSecOps Practices offers new opportunities to improve service delivery, reduce manual overhead, and respond more effectively to user needs.

Despite this potential, many existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems were not originally designed with devsecops practices in mind, resulting in persistent gaps in process automation that limit their overall effectiveness. This study examines how DevSecOps Practices can be applied to help close that gap.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Current enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in many organizations struggle with inadequate process automation, often relying on manual processes or outdated architectures that were not designed for today's operating environment. Without a structured approach to integrating devsecops practices, these limitations are likely to persist, exposing organizations to inefficiency, risk, and a poor user experience. This study is motivated by the need to design and evaluate a devsecops practices-based approach to addressing this problem.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To design and implement a devsecops practices-based approach to improving process automation in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of DevSecOps Practices in enhancing process automation within enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
3. To identify the key requirements and constraints relevant to deploying devsecops practices in this context.
4. To assess user and stakeholder perception of the resulting system.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How can devsecops practices be applied to improve process automation in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems?
2. How effective is DevSecOps Practices at enhancing process automation within enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems?
3. What requirements and constraints are relevant to deploying devsecops practices in this context?
4. How do users and stakeholders perceive the resulting system?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to software developers and system architects seeking practical guidance on applying DevSecOps Practices within enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. It is equally relevant to organizations that rely on these systems, offering a reference point for evaluating whether such an investment is justified, and it adds to the growing body of work on devsecops practices applications in software technology / IT.

1.6 Scope of the Study

As a BSc-level study, its scope is confined to designing and evaluating a devsecops practices-based solution for enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, focused specifically on process automation; broader deployment considerations fall outside this scope.