A platform engineering playbook for VPs of Platform delivering an IDP that engineers actually use.
First golden path can be delivered by 4 to 6 engineers. Scaling adoption needs a PM and 2 more engineers. We have shipped MVPs with smaller teams when paired with our embedded engagement.
We re-scope to a single golden path, sunset the unused capabilities, and rebuild adoption from a narrow base. We have done this rescue four times in 2025-26.
Mix. Buy for capabilities with mature commercial offerings (CI/CD platforms, secret management). Build for opinionated workflow that is unique to your engineering culture.
If your IDP has been 'almost ready' for nine months, the answer is not more features.