Platform Tips #10: The Perfect Platform Engineering Team
This is my point of you on what looks like the perfect Platform Engineering team
Hey Folks 👋,
I'm Romaric Philogene, CEO and co-founder of Qovery (Internal Developer Platform), and this is my 10th post on my Substack. In my previous post, I explained how to turn Kubernetes into an Internal Developer Platform.
Today, I'm eager to unfold my vision of the quintessential Platform Engineering team. Please, consider this a personal blueprint rather than an industry mandate — it's the embodiment of perfection in an ideal world from my perspective. While it might not strictly dictate your course of action, my hope is that it sparks inspiration and broadens your understanding of what could be. This isn't about prescribing absolutes; it's about sharing insights that might illuminate your path forward.
The Quintessential Composition
In my opinion, this team is multidisciplinary in nature…
UI Designer
Responsibility: A UI Designer is tasked with crafting the visual aspects of the developer platform. Their role is pivotal in ensuring that the interface is not only aesthetically appealing but also intuitive and conducive to a seamless user experience. They focus on the layout, color schemes, typography, and interactive elements that make the platform engaging and accessible.
Why a UI Designer is essential: In platform engineering, the importance of an intuitive interface cannot be overstated. It directly influences the adoption rate and productivity of developers utilizing the platform. A well-designed UI reduces cognitive load, enabling developers to focus on their core tasks without being bogged down by navigational complexities.
I’m a big believer that an outstanding Internal Developer Platform must be appealing - and bringing a UI designer to the team is an investment, but the reward can really worth it.
UX Designer
Responsibility: The UX Designer goes beyond the visual elements to delve into the usability of the platform. They conduct research, create user personas, and map out journey flows to ensure the platform meets the specific needs of its users. Their goal is to optimize the user developer experience, making it as efficient and pleasant as possible.
Why a UX Designer essential: A platform that understands its users' needs and pain points is a platform that delivers value. The UX Designer's insights into developer workflows and challenges are crucial for building a platform that truly enhances productivity and satisfaction.
Product Manager
Responsibility: Serving as the bridge between the platform’s users and its developers, the Product Manager prioritizes features, sets the roadmap, and ensures the platform aligns with the overall business goals. They gather user feedback, analyze market trends, and work closely with the entire team to guide the platform's evolution.
Why a Product Manage is essential: A Product Manager ensures that the platform remains relevant and competitive. By understanding both the business and its users, they can steer the platform in a direction that maximizes value and fosters continuous improvement.
Fullstack Developer Team
Responsibility: Comprising both backend and frontend developers, this team is responsible for bringing the platform to life. They implement the functionalities defined by the product roadmap, ensuring the platform is scalable, secure, and robust.
Why fullstack developers are essential: The Developer Team is the engine of the platform, turning design and strategy into reality. Their expertise ensures that the platform is not only functional but also performs optimally across various scenarios.
Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
Responsibility: The SRE ensures that the platform is reliable, scalable, and efficiently deployed. They bridge the gap between development and operations, implementing automation, monitoring, and incident response strategies to maintain high availability and performance.
Why one or more SRE is/are essential(s): In platform engineering, reliability is paramount. The SRE’s proficiency in both infrastructure and code guarantees that the platform can support the developers’ needs without faltering, thereby enhancing trust and dependability.
Synergy for Success
The confluence of these roles within a platform engineering team facilitates a holistic approach to building an IDP. Each member brings a unique perspective, ensuring that the platform is not only technically proficient but also a joy to use. The collaboration between design, development, and operations ensures that the platform is built with the end-user in mind, fostering an environment that prioritizes the Developer Experience.
A Note on Practicality
While the composition outlined above represents the ideal scenario, the reality of resource constraints often necessitates a more pragmatic approach. Hiring for all these roles may not be feasible for every organization, especially those with limited manpower and time. This is where existing internal developer platforms like Qovery or others come into play.
Existing Internal Developer Platforms embodies the collective expertise of the ideal platform engineering team, offering organizations a ready-made solution that prioritizes Developer Experience. Example: By building on top of Qovery, platform teams can leverage the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach without the need for extensive hiring. This not only accelerates the development process but also ensures that organizations can provide their developers with a top-tier platform, even with limited resources.
Conclusion
The perfect platform engineering team is a symphony of diverse talents, each playing a crucial role in crafting an exceptional Developer Experience. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that every aspect of the platform, from its usability to its reliability, is designed with the end-user in mind. However, the path to achieving this ideal setup is not without its challenges. Resources, time, and practicality often dictate a more streamlined approach. Fortunately, solutions like Qovery offer a bridge to this gap, providing organizations with the means to offer a stellar Developer Experience without the need for an extensive in-house team. In the end, whether through a meticulously composed team or through leveraging existing platforms, the goal remains the same: to empower developers with the tools and environments they need to excel.
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