This document discusses the fundamentals of platform strategy and creating value through APIs. It outlines some common errors when starting platform initiatives, such as trying low-risk peripheral projects or replacing multiple core systems at once. The document recommends identifying true users, focusing on delivering true value through APIs, and sharing the burden of platform development and governance across teams. It provides examples and emphasizes starting with high-value use cases and enabling one API at a time.
13. Platform Value
• Individual APIs can have tremendous value
• Underpin products, enable new business
channels, provide an abstraction layer
• Core value almost always revolves around:
Agility
15. Common Errors in Platform Beginnings
• Try something peripheral and low risk
• Replace multiple core systems at once
• Have a platform team build everything
• Top down design a uniform approach
17. Best time to begin
• When you have one or more driving initiatives
• When IT teams are ready to rethink some
infrastructure
• When the goal is not too abstract
31. Questions to Ask
• When Developer Experience is not enough
• How do the APIs need to be consumed?
• Who else might consume them?
• Where do their effects propagate to?
• What additional value can we add?
38. Questions to Ask
• How to split Dev, Ops, Management?
• What do we automate?
• What do we monitor?
• Which APIs do we focus on first?
• How will we manage change?
55. Images (Copyright Authors)
• Apple TV Image, Apple.com:
https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/appletv/apple-tv-3gen-
home-screen.jpg
• Amazon Echo: Amazon stock marketing image
• Bay Bridge: https://unsplash.com/photos/0iAzHzjeYRk
• Jeff Sheldon https://unsplash.com/photos/o6Y9E-DdG6w
• Taras Perevarukha https://500px.com/photo/215416/-by-taras-perevarukha
• Richard Bland https://500px.com/photo/89775589/coming-for-you-by-richard-
bland?ctx_page=2&from=search&ctx_q=platform&ctx_type=photos&ctx_sort=relevance
• Kaleb Nimz: https://unsplash.com/photos/-5rA4DRrEXU
• Seabags Creative: https://unsplash.com/photos/U3m4_cKbUfc
• Todd Quankenbush https://unsplash.com/photos/IClZBVw5W5A
• Hairy Panic http://theconversation.com/what-is-the-hairy-panic-tumbleweed-that-has-buried-a-small-
australian-city-55074
• Welder: Uğur Gürcüoğlu https://unsplash.com/@sharkdesignstudio?photo=s1M0ncSl9l4
• TrainTracks: Redd Angelo: https://unsplash.com/@reddangelo16?photo=60fa9BMxvpE
Notes de l'éditeur
Finely crafted!
There is a lot of excitement! Fan fare and they get intreset – some very enthusiastic hard core users, but there isn’t huge take up… the project that needed the API is basically happy but it’s hard to deliver. Expectations Met?
(incredibly hard to do when you have platform dreams!)
(incredibly hard to do when you have platform dreams!)
This is a no-brainer right?
(incredibly hard to do when you have platform dreams!)