The Future of Platform Engineering: Embracing the Platformless Approach

The main goal of adopting technology is to improve the quality of human life by automating routine tasks and freeing up time for more valuable activities. In the context of DevOps and platform engineering, this means enhancing developer productivity and operational efficiency. Developers should concentrate on creating high-quality code that brings value to customers and addresses their needs, while operators should focus on improving the scalability, resilience, and security of platforms and applications.

As we stand on the cusp of a new technological era, let's reimagine how we approach platform engineering. Envision a world where infrastructure complexities, developer hurdles, and manual frictions are minimized, paving the way for unprecedented innovation and productivity. This is the essence of Ubiquitous Computing, a philosophy that seamlessly integrates computing into everyday life, enhancing human capabilities. As Mark Weiser, the pioneer of Ubiquitous Computing, famously stated in 1991, "The most profound technologies are those that disappear. They weave themselves into the fabric of everyday life until they are indistinguishable from it." When applied to software delivery, this vision is not a distant dream but a practical reality outlined in the Platformless Manifesto from WSO2 , coauthored by Sanjiva Weerawarana , Paul Fremantle , and Asanka Abeysinghe .

During their keynotes at WSO2Con 2024, Sanjiva and Asanka emphasized the importance of automating low-value tasks, allowing developers to concentrate on high-value creative activities that substantially impact the business. This shift in mindset involves more than just technological progress; it entails reimagining how we utilize technology to generate greater value, spur innovation, and maximize human potential.

The Platformless Manifesto: A Paradigm Shift

The Platformless Manifesto signifies a transformative shift from a platform-centric to a platformless model aimed at reducing complexity and overhead in platform management. This transformation leverages advanced automation and intelligent systems to handle tasks seamlessly, emphasizing developer productivity and innovation. The principle of "invisible infrastructure" is paramount here—suggesting that the best infrastructure is one that developers don't have to think about—it just works. By abstracting away infrastructure complexities, developers can deploy code effortlessly and reliably, focusing solely on delivering value.

Empowering Developers

The Pivotal Haiku, "Here is my source code. Run it on the cloud for me. I do not care how," encapsulates a philosophy that places developer empowerment at its core. This approach removes barriers and distractions that hinder productivity, enabling developers to accelerate delivery cycles and innovate more freely. The platformless approach minimizes the need for developers to interact with underlying infrastructure, automating routine tasks and providing a seamless deployment experience. This empowerment unleashes developers' creativity, allowing them to deliver high-quality software at unprecedented speeds.

Shifting Low-Value Activities to Automation

A critical aspect of the platformless approach is its ability to distinguish between low-value and high-value activities, automating the former. Low-value tasks such as managing infrastructure and configuring environments do not directly contribute to core business goals. Automating these tasks frees developers to focus on high-value activities such as designing innovative features and solving complex problems. This approach enhances productivity and increases job satisfaction by enabling developers to engage in meaningful work. It's important to note that the platformless model at WSO2 is not about replacing developers with automation but about empowering them to do more impactful work. It aims to create a streamlined and efficient development process.

Maximizing Impact with AI and Automation

AI and automation are not just buzzwords in the platformless approach but the driving forces behind its efficiency and effectiveness. AI can analyze patterns, predict issues, and optimize resource allocation, leading to more resilient systems. By automating low-value activities, we maximize the impact of our efforts. AI-driven tools can automate monitoring and alerting systems, reducing manual intervention and enabling proactive issue resolution. The platformless approach provides a framework for leveraging advanced technologies to create an intelligent and adaptive development environment, instilling confidence in the future of technology.

The Deep Sea Drilling Platform vs. Underwater Base Analogy

To further illustrate the transformative power of the platformless approach, let's consider an analogy between a deep-sea drilling platform and an underwater base (I have consciously chosen not to use the overused iceberg analogy). The deep-sea drilling platform represents the current focus of software development with DevOps—burdened with managing infrastructure and handling complex, manual tasks. Much like the drilling platform, this traditional model is resource-intensive and requires constant oversight to function effectively.

In contrast, the underwater base represents the optimal focus—an environment where infrastructure is seamlessly integrated and largely invisible, allowing the inhabitants to focus on more strategic and innovative tasks. This base is self-sustaining, intelligent, and designed to minimize human intervention in routine operations. Similarly, the platformless approach envisions a future where infrastructure complexities are abstracted away, enabling developers and operators to focus on high-value activities that drive innovation and business value—a vision that we championed at Pivotal Software, Inc. and VMware Tanzu .

Aligning with the Shift of Complexity in Platform Engineering

The analogy also illustrates a shift from managing platform complexity to an optimal state. CIOs, team leads, architects, and developers typically spend significant time on platform management, similar to maintaining deep-sea drilling platforms.

The ideal approach minimizes direct platform management, allowing key stakeholders to focus on improving application functionality and creating value. This platformless approach leverages automation and intelligent systems to handle routine platform management tasks, enabling a more strategic and impactful use of time and resources.

Embracing AI and Automation

Embracing AI and automation is essential for staying competitive. The platformless approach supports this vision and guides strategic investments to yield the highest returns. It calls on industry leaders to evaluate current practices and explore how platformless principles can revolutionize operations.

Calls to Action

1. Adopt WSO2 Choreo:?Start reviewing and integrating WSO2 Choreo into your workflow. This platform exemplifies the Platformless Manifesto principles and can enhance productivity.
2. Invest in AI and Automation:?Identify low-value activities that can be automated and invest in AI-driven tools to streamline these processes.
3. Empower Your Developers:?Prioritize developer experience. Implement tools that abstract infrastructure management complexities.
4. Stay Informed and Agile:?Monitor industry trends and advancements in AI and automation. Adapt strategies to incorporate new technologies.
5. Collaborate and Share Knowledge:?Engage with industry experts and share experiences with the platformless approach. Collaboration drives collective advancement.

By taking these steps, you can position your organization at the forefront of innovation in platform engineering and developer productivity. The platformless approach is not just a trend but a fundamental shift that will shape the future of our industry.

The Path Forward

The platformless approach represents a significant evolution in platform engineering and developer productivity. This model aligns perfectly with the principles of ubiquitous computing, platform engineering, and technology transformations I have championed throughout my career. It automates low-value activities and empowers developers to focus on high-value tasks. Integrating AI and automation further enhances its potential, creating a more intelligent and adaptive development environment. Embracing these principles and taking actionable steps toward implementation will drive significant advancements in our organizations and contribute to the broader technological ecosystem.