In the world of software development, the mantra of “build fast and break things” was once popularized by Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook. This philosophy emphasized the need for rapid innovation and iteration in order to stay ahead in the tech industry. However, the focus has now shifted towards building quickly while prioritizing security and reliability.
This shift has given rise to formal practices within software development, such as DevOps and platform engineering. At the Google Cloud Next 25 event, a panel of platform engineering leaders shared insights on how organizations can succeed in this emerging discipline and build high-performing teams.
Platform engineering, as defined by Tyson Singer of Spotify, is about maximizing the productivity of developer teams. It is a sociotechnical discipline aimed at fostering a shared understanding among development teams to tackle common challenges efficiently and securely, especially at scale.
Spotify’s creation of Backstage, an internal developer portal framework that was later open-sourced, exemplifies the benefits of platform engineering. The evolution from focusing on infrastructure development to building products was a transformative journey for Spotify, requiring organizational changes and a clear definition of success metrics from the outset.
The benefits of a robust platform engineering program are substantial, including improved product quality, enhanced security, and cost savings. By quantifying the value of platform engineering in terms of “blue dollars,” which represent unquantifiable savings, organizations can demonstrate the tangible impact of their investment to finance executives.
In conclusion, the adoption of platform engineering is essential for modern businesses looking to innovate rapidly while maintaining security and efficiency. By aligning the benefits of platform engineering with the strategic goals of the organization, businesses can drive growth and success in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
