How Northwestern Mutual streamlined its DX through an automated governance model

Northwestern Mutual has enhanced its developer experience and technical infrastructure by implementing an automated API governance model, which was detailed in a presentation at the LEAP 2.0 API Governance Conference by Justin Russo, the company's Senior Systems Software Engineer. This model addresses challenges such as API sprawl, compliance, and developer experience, focusing on API management, business domain-driven architecture, and a maturity model to ensure consistency and business relevance. By automating processes like API registration, insights, and retirement, Northwestern Mutual has achieved significant improvements, including a 40-hour reduction in setup time per application and an 80% adoption rate within the company. The automated governance model allows for rapid deployment of compliant APIs, supports developer and consumer needs through tools like integrated tech stacks and API registries, and utilizes Tyk as a central API gateway for security and documentation. This approach not only increases efficiency and compliance but also facilitates ongoing evaluation and enhancement of their API ecosystem as the company continues to push technological boundaries.