
Welcome to our blog series on Platform Engineering, a subject that’s close to my heart and integral to the work we do here at OpenCredo as well.
Platform engineering has rapidly become a critical area of focus for organisations looking to streamline operations and empower their development teams.
According to Gartner, by 2026, 80% of large software engineering organisations will establish platform engineering teams to provide reusable services, components and tools for application delivery.
However, navigating this complex landscape requires more than just understanding the technology—it’s about cultivating a holistic approach that integrates people, processes, and tools.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of sharing my insights on platform engineering through various talks and presentations. Now, I’m excited to bring those ideas together in this comprehensive series, where we’ll explore the journey of platform engineering from “farm to fork.”
Drawing on the metaphor from agriculture, where the journey begins with planting seeds and ends with delivering value to the consumer, we’ll navigate the world of platform engineering through a similar lens. This series will take you through the foundational concepts, the challenges of growth, and the strategies for harvesting success from various platform engineering initiatives.
This series is structured into three parts, each drawing from key points of my various talks and focusing on a critical stage of the platform engineering journey:
- Part 1: The Foundations of Platform Engineering—A Socio-Technical Discipline
Here we begin by laying the groundwork, exploring the core principles of platform engineering as covered in my talk, People, Process & Platform – A community focused approach. We unpack why platform engineering is as much about people and processes as it is about technology, and also outline the key characteristics that define a successful platform. Understanding these foundational aspects is essential to building a platform that serves the diverse needs of your organisation.
- Part 2: Why Creating a Great Platform Is So Hard
Next, we delve into the challenges of platform engineering, especially in the context of Why it seems to be so hard to create a great Platform-as-a-Product?. We explore common pitfalls and offer strategies for overcoming these obstacles to build a platform that truly meets your organisation’s needs.
- Part 3: Assessing Your Platform Maturity and Continuously Improving
Finally, we look at how to assess and improve the maturity of your platform engineering efforts. Drawing from my talk on Maturity of your platform engineering initiative, we’ll introduce the Platform Engineering Maturity Model and provide practical advice on how to evolve your platform over time to ensure continuous growth and success.
By the end of this series, you’ll have a solid understanding of platform engineering, enriched with practical insights and real-world experiences. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your existing platform, I hope this series will be valuable as you continue to grow and evolve on your journey.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
Looking for more help?
OpenCredo has been working with organisations of all shapes and sizes on their platform engineering initiatives. This ranges from strategic consulting and advice, to reviews and assessments, a platform accelerator offering, as well as the provision of leadership and hands-on delivery teams to accelerate the adoption of fit-for-purpose platforms. If you’re looking for more help in this area, please reach out below and let us know how we can help you.
This blog is written exclusively by the OpenCredo team. We do not accept external contributions.