Platform Engineering: Busting The Myths for Cloud and IT Pros
Platform Engineering: Busting The Myths for Cloud and IT Pros
Stop believing the naysayers and marketers
As modern software systems become more complex, platform engineering has become a game-changer in cloud computing and IT operations. But with its growing popularity, there’s also been a lot of confusion. Let’s break down some common myths about platform engineering and clear the air for cloud and IT operators.
Myth #1: Platform Engineering is Just Another Name for DevOps
This is a typical mix-up. While platform engineering and DevOps have similar goals, they’re not identical. DevOps is all about getting development and operations teams to work better together, while platform engineering goes a step further. It’s about creating a self-service platform that streamlines developer workflows and reduces workload.
Here’s how platform engineering builds on DevOps:
A centralized development environment that’s standardized for everyone
Self-service tools and automation to speed up processes
Simplifying infrastructure complexities so developers can focus on coding
Prioritizing developer productivity and experience
Myth #2: Platform Engineering Slows Everything Down
It’s the opposite! Platform engineering aims to speed development by offering ready-to-use environments, automated workflows, and self-service tools. This means developers spend less time setting things up and more time coding.
How platform engineering boosts speed:
Faster environment setup
Quick onboarding for new team members
Smoother deployments
Consistent environments across the board
Myth #3: You Need to Start from Scratch for Platform Engineering
Nope, you don’t have to throw everything out and start fresh. Platform engineering can be implemented gradually, building on what you already have.
How to ease into platform engineering:
Start small with a minimum viable platform (MVP) for a limited group
Expand as you get feedback from users
Integrate your existing tools and processes
Focus on high-impact areas first, then roll out to the rest
Myth #4: Platform Engineering is Just for Big Companies
While big companies can benefit, platform engineering isn’t only for them. Businesses of all sizes can use platform engineering to make their development processes more efficient.
Benefits for smaller businesses:
Standardized development environments
Better resource usage
Stronger security and compliance
Faster time-to-market for new features
Myth #5: Infrastructure Teams Become Obsolete with Platform Engineering
This is a big misunderstanding. Infrastructure teams are still vital in platform engineering. They design, implement, and maintain the underlying systems on which the platform depends.
Roles infrastructure teams still play:
Building scalable and resilient infrastructure
Ensuring security is baked in
Optimizing performance and cost
Solving complex infrastructure issues
Myth #6: All Cloud Services Are Part of Platform Engineering
It’s tempting to think that using cloud services automatically means you’re doing platform engineering, but that’s not quite right. The key is how these services are integrated into your platform and how they impact your overall developer experience.
Things to keep in mind with cloud services:
Make sure each service fits into your platform strategy
Ensure compliance and security requirements are met
Simplify how developers use these services through abstraction layers
Keep optimizing service usage for efficiency
Myth #7: Platform Engineering is a One-Time Setup
Platform engineering isn’t something you set up and forget about. It’s an ongoing process that needs regular maintenance, optimization, and tweaks to stay up-to-date with tech changes.
Ongoing platform improvements:
Regular feedback from developers
Monitoring performance and usage
Staying updated on new tools and practices
Adapting to changing needs and tech advancements
Myth #8: Platform Engineering Trades Security for Speed
People often worry that focusing on developer productivity might compromise security, but that’s not true. Platform engineering can improve security by enforcing consistent practices across all applications and environments.
How platform engineering boosts security:
Centralized security policies
Automated security scans and tests
Standardized access controls and authentication
Better visibility and auditing
Myth #9: Platform Engineering is All About Tools
Tools are part of it, but platform engineering is more than picking the right software. It’s about building an ecosystem that supports developers throughout the entire software lifecycle.
Other critical aspects of platform engineering:
Setting up best practices
Creating helpful documentation and knowledge bases
Supporting and guiding development teams
Promoting a culture of continuous improvement
Myth #10: Platform Engineering Is About Kubernetes
There seem to be some efforts by marketing teams in the Kubernetes community and some media/influencer community critics to paint Platform Engineering with the Kubernetes brush. This is plain FUD, and that is not the case. While Platform Engineering can be used using Kubernetes platforms, it is much more than just Kubernetes. It is about building a platform that provides developers with a self-service approach to deploying their applications and operators, a more automated approach to streamlining operations and ensuring security and governance. Whether the platform is built on Kubernetes or VMs, cloud-native services, or even Mainframe doesn't matter.
Platform Engineering is about:
Standardizing environments
Automating repetitive tasks
Improving team collaboration
Boosting system reliability and scalability
and NOT Kubernetes
Conclusion
Platform engineering holds great potential for cloud and IT pros to streamline operations, boost developer productivity, and improve system reliability. By debunking these myths, it’s easier to see the actual value of platform engineering and how to implement it effectively. It’s not a one-and-done solution, but careful planning and commitment can significantly impact your organization.