In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, platform engineers play a crucial role in shaping the infrastructure that supports modern applications. These professionals are tasked with designing, building, and maintaining the platforms that enable developers to create innovative solutions. However, beyond technical expertise, there is another essential quality that sets exceptional platform engineers apart: the ability to have strong opinions.
Having strong opinions as a platform engineer does not mean being inflexible or unwilling to consider alternative perspectives. Instead, it signifies a deep understanding of the tools, technologies, and best practices that drive effective platform development. By forming strong opinions based on experience and expertise, platform engineers can make informed decisions that benefit the entire development process.
One area where strong opinions are particularly valuable is in the selection of technology stacks. Platform engineers must evaluate a wide range of options when building a platform, from programming languages and frameworks to deployment tools and scalability solutions. By having strong opinions about the most effective technologies for a given use case, platform engineers can guide their teams toward solutions that are robust, scalable, and maintainable.
For example, a platform engineer with a strong opinion about containerization might advocate for using Kubernetes as the orchestration tool for deploying and managing containerized applications. This opinion could be based on Kubernetes’ widespread adoption, robust feature set, and strong community support. By championing Kubernetes within their organization, the platform engineer can help standardize deployment practices, improve scalability, and enhance overall system reliability.
Additionally, strong opinions can drive innovation within platform engineering teams. When engineers are passionate about their beliefs and willing to defend them, they can spark productive debates that lead to creative solutions. By encouraging a culture of healthy debate and intellectual rigor, platform engineers can challenge assumptions, push boundaries, and inspire their colleagues to think critically about their work.
Moreover, having strong opinions can instill confidence in stakeholders, both internal and external. When platform engineers confidently stand behind their decisions and recommendations, they project expertise and credibility. This can foster trust among team members, management, and clients, leading to smoother collaboration, faster decision-making, and more successful outcomes.
In conclusion, the ability to have strong opinions is a valuable trait for platform engineers in today’s tech landscape. By leveraging their expertise, experience, and passion, platform engineers can drive innovation, make informed decisions, and inspire their teams to achieve excellence. In a world where choices abound and technology evolves rapidly, having strong opinions can be the compass that guides platform engineers toward success.