What are the differences between traditional and modern internal platforms?

Modern internal platforms aim to reduce cognitive load and provide abstractions that are useful to each specific team, focusing on utility rather than just providing a one-size-fits-all solution. They should allow developers to opt out if the platform doesn't cover their needs, providing a golden path that covers most cases while also giving freedom to work without restrictions. Modern platforms favor self-service approaches, similar to SaaS services, and require collaboration between teams to provide useful abstractions and features. The governance of internal platforms has shifted from executives and CTOs to the teams themselves, who make decisions informed by their daily needs. Organizations should treat platforms as products, employ experienced product managers, and collaborate closely with implementing teams to create a well-curated experience for software engineers.