Platform engineering has undergone significant transformation since Evan Bottcher's foundational 2018 article. What began as “a foundation of self-service APIs, tools, services, knowledge, and support” has evolved into a distinct discipline focused on enhancing developer experience and delivering measurable outcomes.
This talk explores the pivotal shifts in platform engineering over seven years, contrasting the 2018 landscape with today’s mature ecosystem. It examines how developer experience has emerged as a central goal, replacing the earlier focus on reducing “backlog coupling.” Bottcher shares insights from implementing platform transformations at global enterprises, including a case study of restructuring a fintech’s approach with dedicated developer success teams.
Whether building your first platform or evolving an existing one, attendees will gain practical strategies to navigate common anti-patterns such as “Field of Dreams” platforms and overengineered workflows. Join this session to explore how platform engineering has matured from an emerging concept to an essential practice driving organizational success through enhanced developer experience.