API governance practices

API governance involves establishing policies, procedures, and practices to manage and control the usage, development, and maintenance of APIs within organizations, ensuring consistency, security, and efficiency in alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements. It encompasses setting design standards, implementing robust security measures, ensuring compliance with industry regulations, and providing comprehensive documentation to support developers. Governance processes can be centralized to create consistent APIs across business lines while maintaining team autonomy, with models like Team Topologies offering frameworks for efficient API development. Effective API governance not only streamlines development efforts and fosters collaboration but also enhances security and compliance, ultimately driving innovation and business growth by enabling seamless integration and interoperability across systems.