November 2018 Summaries

Martin Buhr, in his Nordic APIs 2018 Platform Summit talk, advocates for a "boring" approach to API Management, emphasizing the benefits of simplicity and reliability over flashy, complex solutions. He argues that while many are drawn to innovative and shiny concepts, a mundane strategy can be more effective for API management, as it often ensures stability and ease of use. Buhr's presentation, titled "Your API Strategy: Why Boring is Best," is designed to engage the audience with humor and historical references while promoting a straightforward API strategy. He invites feedback and discussion from viewers and highlights a separate demonstration by his colleague Ahmet Soormally on Tyk's capabilities. The talk also served as an opportunity for Buhr to connect with attendees at the conference.

Managing a large number of APIs and microservices within an organization requires organization, consistency, and support to prevent chaos and inefficiency. Effective API portfolio management involves organizing APIs into domain areas, assigning product ownership, and managing URL paths to avoid duplication and confusion. Introducing lightweight API governance ensures consistency across the organization by defining standards, providing educational resources, and empowering teams to discover and use existing APIs. Supporting developers through comprehensive documentation, clear onboarding processes, and quick start guides encourages API adoption, preventing valuable resources from being wasted on unused APIs. As API initiatives expand, especially in larger organizations, establishing a governance team becomes crucial to maintain order and promote integration, ultimately transforming the organization into one with a well-managed and strategic API program.