In this insightful episode of Build What's Next: Digital Product Perspectives, industry experts delve into the complexities of managing API developer portals from an organizational perspective. The discussion focuses on critical aspects of API lifecycle management, governance structures, and the importance of dedicated support teams.

Key points discussed include:

• The crucial role of versioning strategy in API management
• The emergence and importance of the API Product Manager role
• Organizational structures for API Centers of Excellence (COE)
• The challenges of documentation and support
• The impact of AI on API development and management
• Governance models and their implementation

The experts emphasize several critical success factors:

1. Versioning Strategy:
   • Support periods of 12-18 months for major API versions
   • Clear distinction between major and minor version changes
   • Proper communication around versioning and maintenance windows
2. API Product Management:
   • The need for dedicated API product managers
   • Balance between technical and business acumen
   • Liaison role between developers and business lines
3. Organizational Structure:
   • Centralized vs. decentralized approaches
   • The role of digital transformation teams
   • Evolution from centralized to federated models
4. Support and Documentation:
   • The importance of dedicated support teams
   • Challenges with engineer-written documentation
   • Treatment of internal vs. external developer needs

The episode concludes with insights into the future impact of AI on API development and management, including code generation, security analysis, and automated documentation.

Episode Resources:

• Example products mentioned: Traceable AI
• Related topics: REST APIs, API Security, Developer Experience
• Topics for further exploration: Distributed architectures, Team structures

Episode Highlights:

• [01:34] Versioning strategy and support timeframes
• [06:03] The role of API product managers
• [13:02] Internal vs. external developer needs
• [17:27] Governance processes and emotional aspects
• [24:48] AI's impact on API development
• [28:04] Future of API discovery and management