Effective API lifecycle management is crucial for the success of APIs, involving stages like planning, designing, developing, deploying, consuming, monitoring, and retiring, each of which impacts performance and adoption. The process emphasizes the importance of robust security measures, governance models, transparency, compliance, and community engagement throughout these stages. Full-lifecycle API management platforms play a pivotal role by offering features such as API gateways, developer portals, analytics, and monetization capabilities, which enhance security and performance. Strategic API testing, deployment, and monitoring are essential for maintaining reliability and efficiency, while API analytics provide insights into usage patterns and operational efficiencies, aiding in proactive management and refinement of API strategies. Selecting the right API management platform and adhering to best design practices ensures APIs remain user-friendly and secure. As the API landscape evolves with federated ecosystems and cloud-native solutions, organizations must adapt to stay efficient and competitive.