Anthropological Performance Initiatives (APIs)
In my preparations to deliver the closing keynote at Intel’s Business API event (link) last week, I considered how I could entwine my theme of the future of work/humanity with that of the event.
Despite the seemingly ‘under the bonnet’ nature of application programming interfaces (APIs) I realised that this was a theme that is strategically important to leaders. eCcommerce, information access and communication between services are just some examples of how APIs support the organisation.
In essence APIs are the glue that bind the digital economy / society together. Well managed APIs at a technical level will lead to a better integrated IT infrastructure, which will in turn will power the associated business / society.
Those organisations that can provide a clean set of APIS to support our human tendencies will be better placed to attract customers, employees and citizens. I would particularly focus on APIs that support our tendencies towards being:
- Social.
- Mobile.
- Productive.
- Creative.
APIs that support our need to integrate our work and private lives and improve our decision making will be valuable too.
In an age where it is becoming fashionable to acquire apps and services from third parties, I would encourage both business and IT leaders to ensure their technology investments are made with an API management framework in mind.