Platform engineering has hit a rough patch. Many teams are experiencing burnout, lack of clear business goals, and difficulty getting developers on board. As a result, some of the most exciting tech trends of the past few years are losing steam.

There are several reasons why platform efforts can fail. Lack of leadership, no buy-in from developers, or poor implementation of internal developer platforms (IDPs) can all be culprits. Let’s look at some common mistakes and what to avoid if you want your platform to succeed.

Building the Front End First Is a Trap

One common misconception is that the platform is just about the user interface. Many think that creating a slick developer portal is enough. But that’s not true. The real work starts behind the scenes.

Experts agree that you should start with the back end. That means focusing on building a solid foundation with APIs and orchestration tools first. Once that’s in place, you can add a user interface like Backstage. But don’t put all your effort into the front end early on.

Developers may prefer different ways to interact with the platform. Some like GUIs, others prefer command-line tools or APIs. Limiting access to just one mode can frustrate users and reduce adoption. So, avoid putting too much logic into the portal itself. Keep your options open.

Forget the Product Mindset at Your Peril

Treat your platform like a product. That’s a popular tip, but it’s also essential. If you don’t think of your platform as something that needs marketing, advocacy, and continuous improvement, it’s likely to be underused.

Building a user base isn’t just about making the platform available. You need to tell stories, share success stories with early adopters, and encourage internal advocacy. Without this, engineers might ignore or resist the platform.

Start small with a minimum viable platform. Gather feedback and measure its impact. Use that data to improve over time. A product mindset helps you stay focused on user needs and keeps the platform relevant.

Shared Ownership Matters

When leadership mandates new tech without involving the developers, it can backfire. Developers want to contribute and adapt the tools they use. If they feel they have no ownership, they might find workarounds or avoid the platform altogether.

Spotify’s approach is a good example. They give teams autonomy to build and customize the platform. Developers can write plugins, like Soundcheck, which validates new code automatically. This sense of ownership makes the platform more appealing and useful.

Having shared ownership also fosters innovation and continuous improvement. When users are involved, they’re more likely to embrace the platform and help shape its future.

Know Your Users and Measure the Right Things

Not understanding your users is a common pitfall. Different roles like developers, testers, or site reliability engineers have unique needs. Building a one-size-fits-all platform can lead to frustration and low adoption.

Conduct user research and surveys early on. Talk to your target groups and understand their pain points. When users feel heard, they are more receptive and willing to adopt the platform.

Likewise, measuring success isn’t just about how many people use the platform. Focus on metrics that show real value, like reduced time to market, lower costs, or more innovation. Vanity metrics, like usage numbers alone, don’t tell the full story.

Avoid Copying Big-Name Strategies Without Context

Many teams look at success stories from giants like Spotify or American Airlines and try to imitate them. But what works for a large organization with thousands of developers doesn’t always suit a smaller team.

Start by understanding your own environment and needs. Overengineering from day one can slow you down. Instead, build a simple, effective platform first. Add complexity gradually based on real problems.

IDP reference architectures can provide guidance, but they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution. Every team should adapt strategies to their size, goals, and resources. Copying blindly can lead to wasted effort and frustration.

Don’t Overengineer at the Start

Trying to solve every problem immediately can be overwhelming. Some teams attempt to create a perfect platform on day one. That’s a mistake.

Focus on the essentials: streamline developer workflows and automate basic tasks first. Use incremental steps to add features and complexity over time.

Always prioritize developer time. The goal is to make their work easier, not to build an overly complex system that takes forever to develop. Solve immediate problems first, then expand. This approach leads to more successful platform adoption and continuous improvement.

In the end, avoiding these pitfalls can help your platform engineering efforts gain traction and deliver real value. Keep the focus on users, start simple, and build iteratively. That’s the best way to turn a promising idea into a lasting success.

Inspired by

• https://www.infoworld.com/article/4064273/8-platform-engineering-anti-patterns.html

Sources

• gmpg.org
• thenewstack.io
• platformengineering.org
• backstage.io
• upbound.io