Why is it so Hard to Create a Great Platform-as-a-product? • Nicki Watt • GOTO 2023

Learn the challenges of creating a great platform-as-a-product and how product thinking can help. Understand the importance of user feedback, security, and complexity reduction in designing a valuable and user-friendly platform.

Key takeaways
  • Platform engineering is a sociotechnical discipline that involves both social and technical aspects.
  • It’s challenging to create a great platform as a product because of mono-implementations and a lack of understanding of the technical side.
  • Product thinking is essential to create a platform that is intuitive and user-focused.
  • A platform should be designed to provide value to the users and should not be a cost center.
  • It’s essential to involve users in the development process and provide feedback loops.
  • A platform should be designed to solve the end problem, not individual features.
  • It’s crucial to resist the urge to build everything yourself and instead focus on creating a platform that is valuable to users.
  • Security and risk considerations should be taken into account when designing a platform.
  • Providing support and enablement for users is essential to ensure successful adoption of a platform.
  • A platform should be designed to reduce complexity and provide a seamless user experience.
  • It’s essential to recognize that every user is different and has different needs, and a platform should be designed to cater to these needs.
  • A platform should be designed to provide value to the users and should not be a cost center.
  • Product thinking can help to create a platform that is valuable to users.
  • A platform should be designed to solve the end problem, not individual features.
  • It’s essential to involve users in the development process and provide feedback loops.
  • Providing support and enablement for users is essential to ensure successful adoption of a platform.