Why Building a Platform May Not Be Your Best Bet—Exploring Five Critical Reasons

 

Building an internal developer platform (IDP) or digital platform in-house may seem a strategic move, but is it truly beneficial for your organization? This article examines five critical reasons why constructing such a platform internally may not be the wisest decision.

Key Points:

  • Shifting focus to build and manage an internal platform delays product releases and feature updates, leading to opportunity costs and reduced market agility.
  • Achieving a comprehensive platform that encapsulates best practices such as domain-driven design and continuous integration/continuous delivery requires ongoing research and specialized expertise, often diverting resources from core business objectives.
  • Building and managing a platform involves integrating multiple tools and services, demanding specialized skills, and diverting focus from primary business goals.
  • Operating an internal platform necessitates a dedicated team, potentially leading to strategic misalignment and diverting valuable personnel from mission-critical projects.
  • The financial burden of developing, maintaining, and enhancing an internal platform can constrain investment in other strategic initiatives and pose significant financial risks.

Explore these considerations in detail to understand why opting for a commercial platform might
better align with your strategic goals. Download to make an informed decision.