Why Platform Engineering is more about Cultural Shift in DevOps than Tools

In a world of software development, where agility and efficiency are not just buzzwords but necessities, Puppet’s 2024 State of DevOps Report relieves light on an evolving concept: Platform Engineering. This year’s report delves into how Platform Engineering transcends mere tools and infrastructures, evolving into a cultural shift that redefines organizational structures, enhances productivity, and fortifies security measures within DevOps practices.

Understanding Platform Engineering

Platform Engineering, as highlighted by Puppet, is not a new set of tools but an approach that focuses on creating an internal developer platform (IDP) that streamlines the developer experience. This involves providing developers with self-service tools, standardized environments, and automated workflows, which significantly reduce cognitive load and increase focus on value-adding activities.

The report indicates that 43% of surveyed organizations have had a platform team for at least 3–5 years, signaling maturity in the field. The platforms are not just being adopted but are seen as crucial for DevOps success, with 94% of respondents from last year’s survey agreeing that Platform Engineering is a step in the right direction.

Security isn’t an afterthought; it’s foundational. 70% of respondents noted that security was integrated into their platforms from the start. This proactive approach has led to 51% of platform teams taking responsibility for enforcing software and tool versions for security updates, enhancing compliance across organizations.

The benefits are tangible. Increased productivity was cited by half of the respondents as a top advantage, with platforms allowing developers to bypass repetitive setup tasks. This focus shift has resulted in a 68% increase in development velocity, as reported by those with platform teams compared to those without.

Case Studies: Cultural Evolution

• Salesforce DevOps: Within the Salesforce ecosystem, adopting a platform engineering approach has meant moving away from point solutions to a more integrated, end-to-end strategy. This shift has been pivotal in enhancing app delivery productivity, aligning with the report’s findings on productivity gains.
• Palo Alto Networks: This company’s use of AI within their platform engineering practice exemplifies how technology can be leveraged to not only automate processes but also to autonomously manage production changes. They’ve executed over 89,000 changes with zero incidents, showcasing a significant cultural shift where platform teams are seen as innovators rather than just maintainers.

Cultural Shift

The essence of Platform Engineering as a cultural evolution lies in:

• Empowerment of Developers: By providing tools and environments through a platform, developers are empowered to experiment, innovate, and deliver with less dependency on operational support, reducing the traditional silos between development and operations.
• Shift in Role Perception: Platform engineers are not merely technologists; they are product managers, customer service providers to internal clients (developers), and evangelists of best practices. The report emphasizes the need for product management skills within these teams, underlining a shift from a purely technical role to one that also encompasses strategy and user interaction.
• Organizational Learning and Feedback: The platform approach promotes a culture of continuous feedback and improvement. Teams are not just building platforms; they’re iterating on them based on user feedback, aligning with business goals, which is a hallmark of a mature, evolving organizational culture.

But…

Not all developers or teams might immediately embrace the change, with some resistance noted in the report. Change management and education become key to the successful adoption of platform engineering.

Ensuring platforms are adequately resourced for maintenance and evolution requires a shift in budget priorities and a commitment from senior management, which can be a challenge in organizations with entrenched traditional IT structures.

Conclusion

The 2024 Puppet State of DevOps Report isn’t just about showcasing the rise of Platform Engineering; it’s about recognizing its role as a pivotal cultural evolution within the tech industry. Companies like Salesforce and Palo Alto Networks demonstrate that when platform engineering is embraced holistically, it leads to significant improvements in productivity, security, and overall software delivery performance. This shift isn’t just about tooling; it’s about fundamentally changing how teams collaborate, innovate, and measure success in the DevOps landscape.

As we move forward, the narrative around platform engineering will likely shift from “nice to have” to “must-have”, not just for efficiency but for fostering a culture of innovation and security-first mindset in software development.