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Bringing internal engineering gems into the light

Bill Doerrfeld | March 28, 2025

The latest edition of DirectorPlus explores how to externalize successful internal engineering projects.

Some internal tools are too good to keep hidden.

But how do you find these gems? And when should you externalize them?

I spoke with Spotify's Pia Nilsson about how to identify and externalize internal platforms — like they did with Backstage.

According to Nilsson, great internal tools solve a real business problem, serve an underserved need, don't introduce friction, and require ongoing support.

Catch it in the latest edition of DirectorPlus for LeadDev. And be sure to subscribe to DirectorPlus if you'd like this monthly column in your inbox.

Featured image credit: @chuttersnap

Read: Bringing internal engineering projects to the world

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