The number of tools needed for scalable, secure, and maintainable software is growing. Modern systems require container orchestration, infrastructure as code, build pipelines, and various developer skills. This raises expectations for developers to grasp complex systems, even for small tasks like changing environment configurations or adding tests.

Developers often face confusion about how to deliver essential business value. While the requirements can be ever-changing, the core answer remains straightforward: building products that genuinely assist users. However, we must consider if there are ways to support developers in this process. Can we enhance their experience through an Internal Developer Platform (IDP)? Should IDPs be considered the backbone of your company?


The future of software development is cloud-native, with companies adopting modern methods to deliver innovative software more efficiently. Platform engineering teams are vital for creating internal developer platforms (IDPs), which offer the necessary tools and interfaces for developing, testing, and running software applications. IDPs allow developers to perform tasks independently, such as creating test environments and deploying code, reducing reliance on operations teams.

The confusion between adapting to new technologies and utilizing them is an ongoing challenge in an ever-changing landscape. This discussion aims to clarify the steps you can take to determine if you need an Individual Development Plan (IDP) and, if so, how to approach the process effectively with some best practices.