For startups or small, internal teams, the Core Line might suffice. Here, the immediate stakeholders can manage decisions and tasks informally. Communication is direct, and the API team may handle many responsibilities without strict boundaries between roles.
However, as your organization grows, so does the complexity of managing APIs:
- More APIs: As your API portfolio expands, interdependencies increase.
- More Teams and Stakeholders: Each line—or even each station—may have a dedicated person, team, or business unit responsible for it.
- More Guidelines and Standards: Larger organizations introduce policies to ensure consistency, but managing these guidelines across teams requires clarity and collaboration.
- More Consumers: APIs will serve diverse internal and external consumers, each with unique needs.
The Core Line becomes the foundation, but additional specialized lines—like API Publishing, Business Opportunities, or Platform Architecture—help address specific challenges and manage this complexity.
