Platform Tips #24: 3 Reasons Why You Should Focus on Developer Experience for your Internal Developer Platform
In this article, I explain why you should focus on Developer Experience (DevEx) to empower your developers with your Internal Developer Platform.
Hey Folks 👋,
I'm Romaric, CEO of Qovery, and this is my 24th Platform Tips post.
This week, I will not discuss how to build a better alternative to Backstage (I’ll save the third and last part for next week 🤗), but I want to emphasize how important the Developer Experience is for empowering developers.
In recent years, there’s been a big shift in how software is developed. Developers are no longer just writing code; they're involved in every part of the software lifecycle, including deployment and monitoring. This makes the Developer Experience more important than ever, especially when using an Internal Developer Platform. Let’s dive into 3 reasons why focusing on a great developer experience is so important for empowering developers.
1. Faster Onboarding and Quicker Shipping
A platform that's easy to use can dramatically speed up the time it takes for new developers to get up to speed. When developers understand the tools and processes right from the start, they can start contributing faster and with more confidence. This isn’t just about making their lives easier; it also means that new features, improvements, and fixes can be delivered to users much quicker.
2. Better Understanding of the Infrastructure
With a developer-friendly platform, developers get a close-up view of the infrastructure their applications run on without needing to dig too deeply into complex systems. This transparency helps them learn how the entire system works, which is great for their growth and ensures that there’s no mystery about how the pieces fit together (I personally do think it’s important). Even if it’s sometimes impossible to grasp the whole complexity of an app and its infrastructure, It helps avoid creating isolated teams that only understand parts of the system, promoting a more cohesive understanding of the entire software lifecycle.
3. Increased Accountability and Confidence
When developers have a good handle on the tools and systems they use, they take greater ownership of the software they build. This means they’re involved in creating applications and ensuring they perform well once deployed. If something goes wrong, they can act quickly and roll back changes confidently because they have the right information at their fingertips. This level of empowerment is only possible with a platform that supports an excellent developer experience - providing the right information at the right time.
Wrapping Up
Improving the developer experience on your Internal Developer Platform isn’t just about making developers happy; it’s about making them more efficient, knowledgeable, and empowered. This leads to better software, faster delivery, and more reliable systems. It’s a win-win for both developers and the organizations they work for. Always consider Developer Experience first for your Internal Developer Platform!
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