As software development becomes more complex and customer demands increase, businesses need tools and methods that speed up processes without sacrificing quality. This is where Platform Engineering comes in, a key trend that Gartner has highlighted for 2024 and 2025.
This methodology enables organizations to scale projects more quickly and efficiently through internal self-service platforms that facilitate collaboration and improve the developer experience.
In this article, we'll explore what Platform Engineering is, how it benefits development teams, and best practices for implementing it in your organization.
What is Platform Engineering?
Platform engineering is a discipline that focuses on building and operating internal, self-service platforms that streamline the software development workflow. These platforms act as a “hub” of reusable services, tools, and components designed to meet the specific needs of developers and other internal users. According to Gartner, 80% of large software organizations will establish platform engineering teams by 2026, compared to just 45% in 2022.
Unlike a traditional approach where developers rely on multiple teams for the necessary resources and support, Platform Engineering allows developers to access pre-configured, ready-to-use resources. This not only speeds up the development cycle but also reduces the cognitive load on the team, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks.
A McKinsey study shows that companies that adopt Platform Engineering see significant improvements in talent retention and project delivery speed.
Key Components of an Internal Self-Service Platform
Self-service platforms can vary in their functionality and scope, but generally include the following components:
Infrastructure and Deployment Services : Provide preconfigured environments for development, testing, and production, allowing developers to deploy code without having to configure infrastructure from scratch.
Automation Tools : Automation is critical to successful Platform Engineering. CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Deployment) tools enable teams to test and deploy code continuously and frictionlessly.
Reusable Components Catalog : A central repository of components, such as code libraries, frameworks, and security modules, allows developers to integrate tested functionality into their projects without having to build everything from scratch.
Documentation and Self-Service Support : The best platforms offer detailed documentation and self-service support that enables developers to resolve issues and streamline their workflow without relying on other teams.
Benefits of Platform Engineering
Scalability and Speed of Delivery : Self-service platforms allow developers to access environments and tools immediately, which speeds up development and deployment time. According to Gartner , companies that implement this methodology have managed to reduce their delivery times by 30%.
Improved Developer Experience : By reducing dependency on other teams and simplifying access to resources, self-service platforms improve developer satisfaction and productivity, promoting a more agile and effective work environment.
Cost Reduction : By reusing components and automating processes, companies can optimize their resources, reducing costs associated with infrastructure and ongoing support.
Consistent Standards and Improved Security : By centralizing resources and tools, self-service platforms enable companies to maintain consistent quality and security standards throughout the development cycle.
How to Implement Platform Engineering in Your Organization
To implement Platform Engineering effectively, Gartner recommends some strategic steps:
Identify Needs and Define Goals : Before building the platform, it is important to identify the needs of the development teams and define the goals of the platform. Do they need faster deployment? Better testing tools? This evaluation phase is essential to developing a platform that truly adds value.
Establish a Dedicated Platform Engineering Team : Building a team of experts tasked with building, maintaining, and improving the platform is critical to success. This team should work collaboratively with developers and other users to prioritize features and resolve issues.
Designing the Platform as a Product : Treating the internal platform as a product involves understanding the needs of the “end users” (developers) and continuously improving their experience. Including feedback loops allows the platform to be constantly adjusted and improved.
Foster a Culture of Self-Service : To maximize platform usage, it is important to foster a culture of self-service. This can be achieved by offering training, incentivizing developers to explore the platform, and recognizing those who successfully adopt it.
Challenges and Considerations in Platform Engineering
While the benefits of Platform Engineering are numerous, there are also challenges. One of the most common is resistance to change . Many teams are accustomed to working with specific workflows and tools, and may resist adopting a new internal platform. To overcome this obstacle, it is important for leaders to promote a culture of adoption and provide the necessary training.
Another major challenge is keeping the platform up-to-date and relevant . Technology changes rapidly, and an outdated platform can become a burden rather than a solution. It is critical for the platform engineering team to keep up with the latest trends and improve the platform regularly.
Conclusion
Platform Engineering is a powerful methodology that enables organizations to scale their development projects quickly, efficiently, and safely. By building an internal self-service platform, companies not only optimize development time, but also improve developer experience and foster a culture of innovation.
If you are considering implementing Platform Engineering in your organization, start by assessing your team's needs and establish a user-centric approach to design a platform that truly drives productivity and quality of your software.
Want to learn more about how this trend can benefit your company? Keep reading our upcoming posts on WAU 2025 trends to find out how technology can transform your business!
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