AWS Senior Principal Evangelist
Modern IT strategies almost always incorporate a platform strategy, and it's easy to see why: platforms revolutionize IT by driving innovation through standardization, accelerating development while ensuring compliance, and simplifying complexity without limiting options. However, creating or deploying an in-house platform is challenging and often results in outdated systems that restrict rather than empower users, especially if rushed for economic reasons. This book, drawing from a decade of experience with successful in-house and cloud platforms, offers a fresh perspective on what makes IT platforms effective, distinguishing them from other IT services, and how they can enhance developer productivity. Using engaging metaphors like “fruit salad vs. fruit basket” and “sinking vs. floating,” it provides practical design advice and guides IT executives, architects, and developers through the platform journey—from understanding different types and characteristics of platforms to growing internal usage and setting up platform teams.
BOOK EPISODE
Platform Strategy
James Lewis and Gregor Hohpe discuss the concept of dimensionality in decision-making, particularly in the context of innovation versus standardization. Hohpe emphasizes the importance of understanding and removing constraints to unlock new opportunities, citing historical shifts in technology and platform thinking as key examples. They explore how traditional one-dimensional views often limit progress and the challenges of adapting to new paradigms, especially in organizations. The discussion also touches on the role of architects in facilitating these shifts and the strategic focus needed for internal platforms to thrive in the face of evolving technologies.
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