Stop Building Tools, Start Solving Problems: The Human-Centered Approach to Internal Developer Platforms

Ever feel like you're constantly spinning plates, trying to meet endless demands while handling feedback from all directions? Every decision needs to be justified — within the framework of your company's broader strategy. 

If you're in platform engineering, this likely hits home. But the real challenge isn't just about building a platform. It's about embracing a product approach to your internal developer platform (IDP). It means thinking beyond just the tech side. It's about people, processes, and finding those minor tweaks that can drastically improve your team's productivity.

So, how do you treat your internal teams like customers while ensuring your platform stays scalable and developer-friendly? Let's dig into what it takes to build a platform that developers will love to use.

Solve Real Developers' Problems

Here's the truth — developers aren't looking for more complexity. They need tools that simplify their work. Security and role-based access control are crucial, but focusing only on compliance misses the point.

Shifting to an internal developer platform strategy means moving beyond technical necessities to deliver real value. Imagine building "golden paths" that developers naturally follow — not because they have to, but because they're simply the most efficient.

How do you get there? It starts with understanding. Spend time with your developers — pair programming, chatting about their day-to-day challenges, and truly listening to what's slowing them down. What are the little issues that make their work frustrating? Fix those first.

Begin with something small but meaningful — what we call the "thinnest viable platform." And make sure that whatever you build is adaptable enough for developers to extend and customize to suit their needs.

The Platform Product Manager's Evolution

The role of platform engineering is shifting, and it's starting to look a lot like product management. You're no longer just delivering infrastructure — you're managing relationships, gathering insights, and driving improvements across your development teams.

You're the advocate for your developers, you should make sure their needs are heard. But how do you know if you're succeeding? Measuring success is clearer than with external products, but one question remains: Are your developers using the platform, and is it solving their critical problems?

The real key is alignment. Ensure stakeholders are on the same page about the platform's goals and expected ROI. Building a platform is a long-term commitment, but when you're transparent about the process and keep a focus on the developer experience, you're setting up for sustainable success.

Measuring What Matters

How can you tell if your platform is really improving things for your developers? Measuring the impact of an internal platform is more complex than tracking typical external KPIs. Platform engineering is about creating the right balance between tools, workflows, and people.

Sure, metrics like deployment frequency and lead time for changes (DORA metrics) give you a good starting point. But they don't tell the whole story. Are your developers getting the uninterrupted focus time they need? Are you sacrificing quality for speed? The best insights come from asking developers directly what's getting in their way.

Mapping the Developer Journey

It can be challenging to get developers to share their workflow frustrations. If they're not volunteering feedback, spend some time in their world — pair programming, grabbing some pizza together, or mapping out their processes step by step. Walk through their typical day: What works well? What causes delays? This hands-on approach will show you exactly where improvements are needed.

Be specific with your questions. Rather than a vague "What's bothering you today?", ask about particular stages of their process — when was the last time they faced a challenge deploying code or finding the proper documentation? That's where you'll uncover the real blockers.

Surveys are helpful, too, but keep them short and focused. No one wants to get bogged down in endless questionnaires. Whether you gather feedback through micro-surveys or during retrospectives, the goal is simple: collect actionable insights without overwhelming your team.

Ready to take these insights and turn them into a developer platform that truly makes a difference?