API Governance
API Governance is a set of policies, standards, and processes that ensure APIs are designed, developed, deployed, and managed consistently, securely, and efficiently across an organization. It involves establishing guidelines for API design, security, documentation, versioning, and lifecycle management to promote interoperability, reduce technical debt, and align APIs with business goals. This methodology helps organizations maintain control over their API ecosystems while enabling developers to build and consume APIs effectively.
Developers should learn and implement API Governance when working in organizations with multiple teams building APIs, as it prevents fragmentation, ensures security compliance, and improves developer experience through consistent patterns. It is crucial for microservices architectures, digital transformation initiatives, and regulatory environments where APIs must meet specific standards for data protection, accessibility, and reliability. By adopting API Governance, teams can reduce integration costs, accelerate development, and mitigate risks associated with poorly managed APIs.