[DL.LD.2] Consistently provision local environments

Category: FOUNDATIONAL

Standardize and automate the process for setting up local development environments using managed services, infrastructure as code (IaC), and scripted automation. This approach permits environments to be reliably replicated across different systems and teams, ensuring uniformity. Consistent local environments help to reduce issues that occur only on particular machines.

Create a baseline configuration for your local development environment that mirrors the production setup as closely as possible. Use IaC tools to define this environment, and script the provisioning process. All IaC and scripts should be version-controlled, helping to ensure that any changes are tracked and can be rolled back if necessary. Educate developers on the importance of using the provisioned environments and provide documentation on how to set up and troubleshoot these environments. Regularly review and update the baseline configuration to keep it aligned with changes in the production environment. Consider allowing developers to request local environments on-demand through a self-service developer portal.