Platform Engineering #1: The Developer Experience Obsession

Platform Engineering isn't solely about technology. It's equally, if not more, about people – specifically, developers.

Hey Folks 👋,

I'm Romaric Philogene, CEO and co-founder of Qovery, and in this inaugural post on my Substack (thanks

Morgan Perry

for convincing me 😅), I'm diving into a topic close to my heart and career – Platform Engineering. But let's start by debunking a myth: Platform Engineering isn't solely about technology. It's equally, if not more, about people – specifically, developers.

Obsession with Developer Experience

In Platform Engineering, success hinges on an obsession with the developer experience. Just as a company's success is measured by its customer satisfaction, a Platform Engineer's success is gauged by how effectively and joyfully developers can use the platform.

Why? Because developers are our 'customers'. If they find the platform cumbersome, overly complex, or inefficient, they won't use it. It's that simple. And if they're not using it, what’s the point?

The Platform as a Product

This brings me to a crucial comparison – treating your platform like a product. Every product needs users, and for us, those users are developers. But how do we ensure they not only use but also love our product?

1. Measure Usage 📈: We start by measuring usage. Which features are most used? Where do developers spend the most time? Are there bottlenecks or areas that are avoided?

2. Continuous Feedback 🔁: Engage in constant dialogue. Feedback is a gift, and regular, open channels for it are crucial. This feedback loop helps us iterate and improve continuously.

3. Sell the Vision 📢: Like any good product, the platform must be sold. Communicate its value, how it simplifies life, and most importantly, how it lets developers focus on what they love – coding.

Growing Platform Adoption: A Strategy

Growing a platform's adoption is akin to business development. Here are some strategies:

• Educate and Advocate 🧑‍🏫: Offer workshops, write documentation, and create tutorials. Make the platform accessible and understandable.

• Innovate Continuously ⏩: Stay ahead of the curve. Integrate new technologies that make development faster and more efficient.

• User-Centric Design 🎨: Design with the end-user in mind. A platform that understands a developer's needs will naturally attract more users.

→ I’ll take the time to develop those points in future posts, so don’t forget to subscribe :)

A Vision for the Future

As we progress in our journey as Platform Engineers, our focus must always be on enhancing the developer experience. This focus is not just about technology; it's about building a community, a culture, and a mindset where every developer feels empowered and supported.

Let's revolutionize Platform Engineering by putting developers first. Subscribe now to join me on this exciting journey!

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