Six Pillars of a Mature API Practice

APIs are everywhere, but maturity in API practices is rare.

Buying a gateway doesn’t mean you have an API strategy. What matters is governance, security, and making life easier for developers who build and consume those APIs.

In this episode, Duncan and Jason unpack the real challenges behind building a sustainable API practice: how to avoid sprawl, how to strike the balance between control and flexibility, and how to embed security into every layer.

They also share lessons on centralizing API governance without killing innovation, and why the best APIs put developer experience at the core.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome!
07:47 Pillars of a Mature API Practice
16:58 Challenges in API Development
27:59 Enhancing Developer Experience
30:24 Final Thoughts

Top Takeaways:
✅ API gateways have become essential in modern architecture.
✅ The interpretation of API gateways varies among teams.
✅ A mature API practice requires standards and governance.
✅ Security is a primary benefit of using API gateways.
✅ Developer experience is crucial for API adoption.
✅ Centralized governance helps manage API inventory effectively.
✅ API Gateway solutions vary in capabilities and deployment models.
✅ Automation can streamline API deployment processes.
✅ Collaboration between teams is necessary for API success.
✅ Documentation and onboarding processes impact developer engagement.

Connect with us:
Duncan Mapes -   / duncanmapes  

Jason Ehmke -   / jasonehmke  

DevGrid.io - https://www.devgrid.io/

DevGrid on LinkedIn -   / devgrid-inc  

DevGrid on X - https://x.com/devgridinc