In today’s technology landscape, containing cloud costs has become a priority for organizations. To meet this objective, tech leaders must demonstrate to CFOs how they will stay on budget and showcase Return on Investment (ROI) at the board level. This article delves into the concept of platform engineering and its potential to revolutionize DevOps practices, ensuring efficient software delivery, improved developer experience, and tangible business outcomes.
Challenges of fitting DevOps into the traditional ITSM paradigm
Traditional IT Service Management (ITSM) practices were not designed to seamlessly integrate with the fast-paced and dynamic DevOps methodologies. Attempting to force modern DevOps practices into the confines of an aging ITSM paradigm only leads to suboptimal software delivery performance and a poor developer experience (DX). It is crucial to explore new approaches that align with the changing landscape of software engineering.
Negative impact on software delivery performance and developer experience
By trying to make DevOps dance to the tune of the ITSM paradigm, organizations experience a decline in software delivery performance and hinder the overall developer experience. Development teams find it challenging to navigate through the complexities and limitations imposed by traditional ITSM processes. This results in slower time-to-market, reduced innovation, and limited collaboration between IT and development teams.
The value of saving time in engineering through more efficient practices
Every minute saved in engineering can yield tremendous benefits. By adopting more efficient practices, organizations can save valuable time. For instance, if five minutes are saved per day among 500 developers, a week’s worth of development time can be reclaimed. This time can be redirected towards innovation, quality improvement, or speeding up time-to-market.
The growing popularity of platform engineering and “platform as a product”
Platform engineering has emerged as a key concept within the Platform as a Service (PaaS) ecosystem and is gaining fresh traction in the industry. Organizations are recognizing the need for dedicated platform teams to provide the necessary support and services to development teams. According to Gartner, as early as 2026, 80% of software engineering organizations are expected to have platform teams in place.
Gartner’s prediction of the rise of platform teams in software engineering organizations
To keep up with the evolving needs of software delivery, organizations are embracing platform engineering. By establishing platform teams, companies can ensure efficient collaboration, enhanced productivity, and improved software quality. Gartner’s prediction corroborates the industry’s recognition of platform teams as an integral part of software engineering organizations.
Exploring the concept of platform engineering as a form of IT centralization
Platform engineering represents the latest iteration of IT centralization, albeit with a focus on distributed team empowerment through composition instead of converged control. It creates a collaborative framework that connects IT and DevOps teams, encouraging them to focus on outcomes rather than restrictive methodologies. Platform engineering helps unleash the true potential of both teams, resulting in more efficient practices and streamlined workflows.
The benefits of using Integrated Delivery Platforms (IDPs) for DevOps teams
Integrated Delivery Platforms (IDPs) provide the means to facilitate flow, speed, and innovation while maintaining stability, security, and control. IDPs enable seamless integration of tools, processes, and technologies across the software development lifecycle. By providing a unified and standardized approach, IDPs empower DevOps teams to work more effectively, eliminating bottlenecks and accelerating the delivery of high-quality software.
The collaborative framework created by platform engineering for IT and DevOps teams
Platform engineering fosters a collaborative environment where IT and DevOps teams seamlessly work together, leveraging each other’s strengths. This framework encourages open communication, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional collaboration, resulting in improved productivity, reduced errors, and faster problem resolution. By breaking down silos and promoting a culture of shared responsibility, organizations can unlock the full potential of their workforce.
Platform engineering marks a paradigm shift in the software engineering landscape. By implementing platform teams and embracing collaborative practices, organizations can achieve faster time-to-market without compromising on consistency, stability, or security. The holistic approach to software delivery, facilitated by platform engineering, ensures fewer human errors, improved software quality, and enhanced customer experiences. With cost containment and ROI in mind, tech leaders must seize the opportunity to leverage platform engineering and revolutionize their DevOps practices.