The role of DevOps in software development is to foster collaboration between development and operations teams, aiming to streamline the software delivery process. DevOps practices emphasize automation, continuous integration, and continuous delivery (CI/CD), enabling faster and more reliable software releases. By breaking down silos and promoting a culture of shared responsibility, DevOps enhances communication and efficiency, leading to improved quality and quicker response times to market changes or user feedback. Ultimately, DevOps supports agile methodologies and drives innovation.