What methods can be used to increase efficiency while simultaneously changing a large number of pipelines?

To improve efficiency when simultaneously changing a large number of pipelines, the following approaches can be used:

• Templates and parameterization: Extract common parts of configurations into templates (e.g., YAML templates) and parameterize them. Then, changes in the template automatically apply to all pipelines.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Manage pipelines through code (e.g., using Terraform, Ansible, or specialized CI/CD tools), which allows mass updates of configurations.
• Automation through scripts: Write scripts that programmatically modify configuration files or pipeline APIs.
• Using a monorepository: If pipelines are stored in a single repository, changes can be made centrally and applied to all at once.
• Version control and review: Implement version control and review processes to make changes transparent and safe.

Example of parameterization in YAML for GitLab CI:

.default_job: &default_job
  script:
    - echo "Build for $ENVIRONMENT"

stages:
  - build

build_dev:
  <<: *default_job
  variables:
    ENVIRONMENT: dev

build_prod:
  <<: *default_job
  variables:
    ENVIRONMENT: prod

By changing the .default_job template, we influence all pipelines that use it.