Backstage, an open-source internal developer portal (IDP) framework, is designed to streamline the management of microservices by providing a centralized service catalog that includes documentation, ownership details, and onboarding steps. While it leads the IDP market with a 67% share, implementing a production-ready Backstage portal requires a significant investment in engineering resources, often involving 3-5 engineers and deep frontend expertise in React and TypeScript. The platform is particularly beneficial for organizations that face challenges with microservice sprawl, onboarding inefficiencies, and inconsistent documentation, but may not be suitable for smaller teams or those without strong executive backing. Success with Backstage relies on a focused rollout approach, starting with a single feature and gradually expanding based on feedback, and it demands a clear demonstration of ROI to justify the investment. Common pitfalls include underestimating the required headcount, failing to achieve broad adoption, and lacking executive sponsorship, making it imperative to align the initiative with organizational pain points and measure its impact through concrete metrics. Despite the challenges, when effectively implemented, Backstage can significantly enhance developer productivity and onboarding efficiency, although it necessitates treating the initiative like an internal startup with robust planning and support.