DevOpsDays Philadelphia 2025

Small Batch Delivery: Why Tiny Changes Make a Big Difference
2025-09-30 , Room 1

In the race to deliver software, bigger often feels better—but it comes at a cost. This talk champions Small Batch Delivery, a practice that streamlines development by shrinking the size of changes we ship. You’ll discover how small pull requests reduce risk, improve code quality, and keep teams in a state of flow. We'll dive into the ripple effects of bloated PRs, the psychology behind fast reviews, and why this isn't just a dev tactic—it's a cultural mindset shift. If you're ready to ship faster with less stress, it's time to think small.


In the fast-moving world of software delivery, it’s tempting to pack as much as possible into every release. But here’s the truth: smaller is safer, faster, and smarter. This Ignite talk makes the case for Small Batch Delivery—a practice that reduces risk, accelerates feedback loops, and makes pull request reviews a breeze.

We’ll explore how small, focused changes keep your team in flow, why bloated PRs are a silent productivity killer, and how reviewing quickly reinforces the very habit of shipping small. You'll also learn what happens when we don’t keep batch sizes small (spoiler: it’s not great).
If you've ever stared down a massive pull request with dread or wished your changes shipped faster, this talk is for you. Small batches aren't just a technical strategy—they’re a cultural shift. And they just might be your team’s superpower.

Scott is a Senior DevOps Engineer with Liatrio, focusing on expediting world-class software delivery for enterprises by building advanced DevOps platforms powered by open source, while coaching engineering and business teams along the way. With over a decade of experience in tech, Scott has worked as a consultant across a range of industries including Education, FinTech, Retail, Aviation, Life Sciences, and Healthcare, helping organizations modernize their software delivery practices. Prior to consulting, he worked in the defense industry, developing applications for Naval missile and automated vehicle defense systems. Scott holds a BS and MS in Computer Science from Rowan University, and when he's not building pipelines, he can be found reading Stephen King, playing guitar, or kayaking the rivers of southern New Jersey where he resides with his wife, dog, and three cats.