Software development is no longer just about writing code it’s about delivering value faster, safer, and with collaboration built into every step. That’s exactly where GitLab Workflow comes in. Instead of jumping between Jira for planning, GitHub for code, Jenkins for CI, and Argo CD for deployment, GitLab brings everything together in one DevOps platform from idea to production.
Stop Using 5 Tools, GitLab Workflow Does It All
Imagine this:
● You track your tasks in Jira,
● Write code in GitHub,
● Run pipelines in Jenkins,
● Scan security with SonarQube,
● Deploy using ArgoCD
● And still struggle to keep everything in sync.
Context switching kills productivity. Your team wastes time maintaining tools instead of building software. DevOps becomes DevOops i.e pipelines break, releases delay, and nobody knows where the truth lives anymore.
Now imagine this instead:
● You plan, code, test, secure, and deploy from a single platform.
● Every commit triggers a pipeline automatically no Jenkins needed.
● Releases move across environments with built-in CI/CD.
● Issues, merge requests, and deployments are all linked.
● Security scans run before bugs even hit production.
● The entire software lifecycle is traceable, automated, and fast.
Sounds unreal? It’s not.
That’s exactly what GitLab Workflow delivers a complete DevSecOps engine, built into one platform.
What is Gitlab Workflow ?
A set of instructions/guidelines that prescribe how to utilize git effectively & efficiently. In simpler terms, how code moves from
Idea Development --->Testing ---> Deployment using gitlab tools. ( see below diagram )
Eg – In Github Flow - Create a feature branch from main/master, work on your code, and merge it using a Pull Request. CI/CD is optional and must be configured manually using GitHub Actions.
In Gitlab Workflow - Create a feature branch from main/master which will have the stable code whenever the feature is ready, commit the code it triggers a pipeline in that feature branch that will test the app & security. Once the feature is working as expected and good to be merged into master/ main branch a MR can be created followed by deletion of this feature branch, thereby putting the feature into main branch. ( see below figure for reference )
This above is called as Git Branching Strategy.
This process is called the Git branching strategy, and it is just one part of GitLab Workflow. GitLab Workflow also includes planning with Issues, Epics, Milestones, collaboration with Merge Requests, and automation with CI/CD + DevSecOps all in one platform.
GitLab Workflow is More Than Just Pipelines
Most people think GitLab is only about Git + CI/CD, but that’s just one piece of the story. GitLab Workflow goes beyond automation. It brings planning, collaboration, delivery, and security together in one place, so your entire software lifecycle stays connected.
Instead of jumping between Jira for planning, GitHub for code, Jenkins for CI, and Confluence for documentation, GitLab offers everything built in.
Issue – Track a Single Task
An Issue represents one piece of work a task, feature request, or bug. (assigned by project manager)
● Purpose: Track work with description, assignee, priority, comments, and status.
● Why it matters: It connects directly to code through merge requests.
Example: “Add user login API"
● Assigned to developer
● Linked to merge request
● Tracked in Sprint milestone
Epic – Group of Related Issues
An Epic organizes multiple issues that belong to one bigger feature or deliverable.
● Purpose: Manage large features broken into smaller issues.
● Works across projects and teams.
Example:
Epic: "User Authentication Module"
Contains issues:
● Issue 1: Add login API.
● Issue 2: Password reset.
● Issue 3: Google OAuth.
● Issue 4: Signup validation.
Roadmaps – Visual Delivery Timeline
Roadmaps show feature delivery over time using Epics and Milestones.
They help answer: “When will this feature be delivered?” clearly and visually.
● Release planning.
● Quarterly feature roadmap.
● Client project visibility.
Label – Categorize and Filter Work
A Label is a tag that helps group and filter issues and merge requests.
● Used by: Everyone.
● Purpose: Add categories like priority, status, type, team.
Example: Feature, backend, high priority, devops, bug, etc.
Milestone – Sprint or Release Goal
A Milestone groups issues by time like a sprint or a release.
● Used by: Scrum teams
● Purpose: Time-based planning
Example:
Milestone: Sprint 5 – Payment Feature
Includes:
● Issue: Add Razorpay integration
● Issue: Payment retry logic
● Issue: Payment audit logs
Delivery target: Jan 15 – Jan 28
( This image represents the Issue, milestone & roadmap of the task as a sample example)
How GitLab Workflow Is Useful in Our DevOps Domain
Conclusion
GitLab Workflow is more than version control and pipelines it’s a complete DevSecOps operating system for modern teams. It connects planning, coding, testing, deployment, security, and monitoring into a single seamless flow. Whether you're building apps, managing infrastructure, or deploying to Kubernetes GitLab gives you clarity, automation, and reliability at every step.
If your team is still switching between GitHub + Jenkins + Jira + SonarQube + ArgoCD, you’re wasting time. GitLab Workflow brings everything together, boosts productivity, improves delivery speed, and enables true DevOps transformation.
Final takeaway: GitLab Workflow isn’t just a process it’s how efficient engineering teams deliver software today.
“One Platform. One Flow. Complete DevOps Simplified - GitLab Workflow Powers It All”
Jayesh Raina
Hewlett Packard Enterprise ( PSD- GCC )
I work at HPE
HPE Support Center offers support for your HPE services and products when and how you need it. Get started with HPE Support Center today.
[Any personal opinions expressed are mine, and not official statements on behalf of Hewlett Packard Enterprise]
