2024 Platform engineering predictions

In 2024, platform engineering is anticipated to continue focusing on improving developer experience (DevEx), largely driven by the establishment of dedicated teams and the adoption of internal developer portals as key tools. The emphasis on DevEx is intended to enhance productivity by simplifying workflows and increasing communication with developers, moving away from traditional productivity metrics. A shift towards viewing platforms as products is emerging, encouraging platform engineers to adopt product management methodologies, such as the Jobs-To-Be-Done framework, to tailor portals to specific organizational needs. Internal Developer Portals are expected to broaden their use cases, supporting not just developers but also roles like technical support and FinOps, by providing custom dashboards and automating previously manual processes. The concept of innersource, which applies open-source principles internally, is gaining traction, with portals playing a crucial role in facilitating code visibility and project initiation. This evolution highlights the growing importance of portals in fostering collaboration and efficiency in software development.