Over the last 15 or so years of the thirty or so I have worked, I have been on both sides of the fence interchangeably. Years back in the industry, we had what was called a Systems Programmer. The tasks these people did was really interesting since they were working close to the system and the business at the same time. I have worked somewhat in that role over the past years.

When operations need something and it is a programming need, I have stepped in from time to time and done what is needed. This is stuff like writing custom report providers for SSRS, generic .net custom controls to provide two-phase security to meet EPA/DOJ security requirements, and query of IIS applications to determine and cross-ref the app inventory on multiple servers.

Providing this type of service is the best way to understand the needs of both teams, as well as to understand the chasm that can and often does exist. As one working both sides, it also gives you opportunities to speak with both developers and operations as peers. It can be very beneficial.

M.