A Leader's Guide to Why API Initiatives Fail

This report outlines common reasons for the failure of API initiatives and provides remedies to improve their success. It begins by describing the role of an API platform, which aims to streamline production for teams developing microservices. Despite good intentions, many organizations struggle with their API programs due to a lack of established standards and governance. The report details the importance of having consistent API standards and the challenges faced when these standards are not enforced. It highlights the need for a centralized API service catalog to enhance discoverability and usability, emphasizing that poor documentation can lead to ineffective API usage. Furthermore, it discusses the pitfalls of focusing too heavily on re-use rather than consumability, which can hinder the perceived value of APIs. The report concludes with recommendations for implementing automated testing and improving onboarding processes to facilitate better adoption and usage of API platforms.