Developing a Successful API Program

CIO Applications| Sunday, February 07, 2021

Creating an API program is a significant undertaking that can substantially impact your organization. However, it is not a task to be taken lightly because it can drive new products, innovation, new customers, and revenue streams

Fremont, CA: Despite the importance of APIs, many businesses continue to struggle. We discovered that simply beginning to use APIs is insufficient. Organizations that establish a comprehensive API strategy, whether the APIs are consumed internally or externally, are the most successful in our experience.

First, you must plan your API strategy as if it were a new business. This includes the following:

• Alignment with business objectives

• Identifying assistive technology

• Performance evaluation

• Getting involved with your ecosystem

Aligning business goals with the API program is critical to determine the best use of technology and supporting architectures. KPIs are used to assess the success of the API program and ensure that it is meeting the business's objectives.

Engaging the ecosystem is critical, whether for external API consumers or internal API developers. Therefore, it is critical to understand and know your audience, what capabilities they require, how to support this audience, and how to create an effective communication plan for your program.

As one can see, developing a successful API program is about more than just technology. First, one must define the foundation of your API program in terms of strategy, monetization strategy, target audience, goals, and so on. Then evaluate and select an appropriate technology to carry out the API lifecycle.

Nelson Petracek, an API and technology expert, lays out the criteria, questions, and thought processes you need to consider to build and deliver a successful technology-agnostic API strategy in his new, easy-to-read book, "API Success: The Journey to Digital Transformation." Petracek draws on decades of customer use cases and interactions to create a guide for your company to develop and run a successful API program.



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