The document discusses the establishment of a specification framework for API management federation, emphasizing its decentralized nature that allows for local autonomy while ensuring consistent governance. It outlines the benefits of such a framework, including improved scalability, security, and streamlined processes as organizations adopt more complex architectures like microservices and multi-cloud environments. Additionally, it details the implementation steps necessary to assess, design, and maintain a federated API management system.

1. 1
1

2. Establishing a
Specification
Framework for
API Management
Federation
2
Second Iteration

3. 3
Who I am
Daniel Kocot
Head of API Consulting @codecentric
daniel.kocot@codecentric.de
www.linkedin.com/in/danielkocot

4. 4
Topics to talk about
Understanding
API Management
Federation
Key Components
of API
Management
Federation
The Need for a
Specification
Framework
Let the
Canvases out!
Implementing the
Specification
Framework

5. 5
Topics to talk about
Understanding
API
Management
Federation
Key Components
of API
Management
Federation
The Need for a
Specification
Framework
Let the
Canvases out!
Implementing the
Specification
Framework

6. API Management Federation?
6

7. 7
API Management Federation
refers to a decentralized
approach where the management
of APIs is distributed across
multiple platforms , regions , or
business units , rather than
being centrally controlled.
In a federated model, multiple
API gateways or systems
cooperate to provide consistent
API management while
maintaining local autonomy over
specific APIs.
It contrasts with traditional
centralized API management,
which relies on a single platform or
gateway to control all aspects of
API lifecycle and governance.

8. 8
Key Characteristics of a Federated System
Decentralization Cross-platform
integration
Interoperability Scalability

9. 9
Increasing
Complexity of
API Ecosystems
Agility and
Flexibility
Improved
Security
Why Federated API Management?

10. 10
Key Benefits of API Management Federation
Decentralised
Governance
Better
Scalability
Optimised for
Hybrid and
Multi-Cloud
Tailored Policies
and
Customisation

11. 11
● Single, centralized gateway manages all
API traffic and lifecycle activities (e.g.
security, policies, traffic routing)
● Works well in smaller, less complex
environments
● Limitations:
○ Reduced scalability
○ Slower response times to changes
○ Potential bottlenecks as the
organisation grows
● Multiple gateways across different
regions or departments, each capable to
enforcing policies and handling API
traffic locally
● Enhances scalability, flexibility, and
allows tailored API policies for specific
needs without compromising overall
governance
● Advantages:
○ Higher agility
○ Better suited for global or
multi-cloud enterprises.
Centralised Federated
API Management Flavour Comparison

12. 12
Topics to talk about
Understanding
API Management
Federation
Key
Components of
API
Management
Federation
The Need for a
Specification
Framework
Let the
Canvases out!
Implementing the
Specification
Framework

13. 13
Goal: Ensure that APIs can be
consistently discovered and
registered across multiple
federated environments
Goal: Ensure that policies
governing API usage are applied
consistently, maintaining control
while supporting
decentralisation
Goal: Maintain consistent,
robust security protocols,
ensuring safe and secure API
interactions across federated
domains
API Discovery Policy Enforcement Security Enforcement
Key Components of API Management Federation

14. 14
Topics to talk about
Understanding
API Management
Federation
Key Components
of API
Management
Federation
The Need for a
Specification
Framework
Let the
Canvases out!
Implementing the
Specification
Framework

15. 15
Inconsistent API
Discovery
Policy
Enforcement
Variability
Security Gaps
Across
Platforms
Challenges in a Federated API Management Model

16. What is a Specification
Framework?
16

17. 17
A specification
framework is a set of
standardised rules and
guidelines that govern
how APIs are
discovered, registered,
managed, and secured
in a federated
environment.

18. Role in API Federation
18
Universal
approach
Common
language

19. Consistency Across
Environments
19
Benefits of a Standardised Framework

20. Scalability
Consistency Across
Environments
20
Benefits of a Standardised Framework

21. Improved Security
Scalability
Consistency Across
Environments
21
Benefits of a Standardised Framework

22. Improved Security
Scalability
Consistency Across
Environments
Interoperability
22
Benefits of a Standardised Framework

23. Improved Security
Scalability
Consistency Across
Environments
Interoperability Streamlined
Governance
23
Benefits of a Standardised Framework

24. Improved Security
Scalability
Consistency Across
Environments
Interoperability Streamlined
Governance
24
Benefits of a Standardised Framework

25. 25
As businesses increasingly adopt microservices,
multi-cloud, and hybrid architectures the complexity of
managing APIs in a distributed ecosystem grows. A
framework helps maintain order.
Increasing API Complexity
Why It Matters Now
Enterprises are under pressure to deploy and scale
services faster. A specification framework ensures that
they can do this without sacrificing security or
governance.
Demand for Agility and Speed

26. 26
Omni-Directional API
Management

27. 27
Topics to talk about
Understanding
API Management
Federation
Key Components
of API
Management
Federation
The Need for a
Specification
Framework
Let the
Canvases out!
Implementing the
Specification
Framework

28. API
Development
API Thinking
28
Empathise with
stakeholders
Data definition
API definition
API endpoint and
backend
implementation
Test by
stakeholders

29. 29
API Business
Model Canvas
(ABMC)
API Value
Proposition
Canvas (AVPC)

30. 30
Business
Alignment
Stakeholder
Collaboration
User-Centricity
Why They Matter

31. 31
Applying ABMC to Federated API Management
STEP 1
Identify Needs
STEP 2
Define Segments
STEP 3
Clarify Value
STEP 4
Outline
Resources

32. 32
STEP 1
Profile
Consumers
STEP 2
Map Solutions
STEP 3
Prioritize
Features
Applying AVPC in the Framework

33. 33
Why use ABMC and AVPC in API Management Federation?
Strategic
Alignment
Consumer-Centri
c Approach
Scalable Value
Delivery
Enhanced
Collaboration

34. 34
Topics to talk about
Understanding
API Management
Federation
Key Components
of API
Management
Federation
The Need for a
Specification
Framework
Let the
Canvases out!
Implementing
the
Specification
Framework

35. 35
Bridge Theory Minimize Risks Align Goals
Why Implementation Matters

36. Implementation Steps
36
Step 1:
Assess
Current API
Ecosystem
Step 2:
Define and
Design the
Framework
Step 3:
Incorporate
API Thinking
with APIOps
Cycles
Step 4:
Deploy the
Framework
Step 5:
Monitoring for
Business
Success

37. Implementation Steps
37
Step 1:
Assess
Current API
Ecosystem

38. 38
Inventory
Existing APIs
Evaluate Current
Tools
Identify Gaps
Assess Current API Ecosystem

39. Implementation Steps
39
Step 1:
Assess
Current API
Ecosystem
Step 2:
Define and
Design the
Framework

40. 40
Clarify
Objectives
Standardize
Processes
Enforce Policies
Define and Design the Framework

41. Implementation Steps
41
Step 1:
Assess
Current API
Ecosystem
Step 2:
Define and
Design the
Framework
Step 3:
Incorporate
API Thinking
with APIOps
Cycles

42. 42
Think
Strategically
Automate
Processes
Align Value
Incorporate API Thinking with APIOps Cycles

43. Implementation Steps
43
Step 1:
Assess
Current API
Ecosystem
Step 2:
Define and
Design the
Framework
Step 3:
Incorporate
API Thinking
with APIOps
Cycles
Step 4:
Deploy the
Framework

44. 44
Pilot
Deployment
Stakeholder
Training
Business
Alignment
Deploy the Framework

45. Implementation Steps
45
Step 1:
Assess
Current API
Ecosystem
Step 2:
Define and
Design the
Framework
Step 3:
Incorporate
API Thinking
with APIOps
Cycles
Step 4:
Deploy the
Framework
Step 5:
Monitoring for
Business
Success

46. 46
Track Impact Gather Insights Evolve
Strategies
Monitoring for Business Success

47. Anticipating Challenges
47

48. 48
Resistance to Change
Solution
Challenge
Engage stakeholder early.

49. 49
Integration Complexity
Solution
Risk
Invest in training and robust tools

50. 50
Maintaining Compliance
Solution
Risk
Automate compliance checks

51. Technical Reference Sneak Peek
51

52. 52
Example API Federation Layer

53. 53
Implement
Strategically
Monitor
Continuously
Align Objectives
Ensuring Long-Term Success

54. Federation continues…
54

55. 55
Future Topics of Federation
Growing
Adoption of
Decentralised
Architectures
Evolution of API
Specification
Standards
Advancements in
Security
Protocols
Federation
beyond APIs

56. 56
Federated API Management
● is not just a technical
challenge
● strategic opportunity
● start exploring and
implementing specification
frameworks
"Federated API management is
moving forward."
Daniel Kocot
Head of API Consulting
daniel.kocot@codecentric.de
https:/
/www.linkedin.com/in/danielkocot
Daniel (he / him)

57. codecentric AG | Hochstraße 11 | 42697 Solingen
Creating the digital future together.
57
codecentric AG | Hochstraße 11 | 42697 Solingen
Creating the digital future together.