In this episode, Derric sits down with Mike Amundsen, a leader in the API ecosystem, to explore the evolving role of observability in API design and customer experience.

They break down the differences between machine vs. customer observability, best practices for tracking key metrics, and the importance of designing observability into APIs from the start. Mike also shares insights on API product management, the lifecycle of APIs, and how organizations can adapt to AI-driven changes in observability. Whether you’re a developer, product manager, or business leader, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways on optimizing API-driven businesses.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction - What is Observability?

01:40 - Machine vs. Customer Observability

03:09 - Designing for Observability

05:10 - Best Practices for API Design and Observability

07:40 - Who Owns Customer Observability?

09:14 - The Role of an API Product Manager

11:10 - API Lifecycle and Deprecation

14:12 - Measuring API Value and Sunset Planning

17:39 - Common Pitfalls in Observability

20:15 - The Impact of AI on Observability

23:42 - Future of Observability and APIs

26:10 - Final Takeaways and Advice