https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/tags/internal-developer-platform/ Recent content in Internal Developer Platform on Engineering Leadership in AI & Software Hugo en Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:40:35 +0000 https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/stop-building-silos-start-building-systems/ Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/stop-building-silos-start-building-systems/ Fragmented automation and tool silos slow delivery, increase risk, and create confusion, while a unified engineering system enables speed, safety, and clarity. Standardising on a single platform like Azure Pipelines, with shared processes and guardrails, empowers teams to focus on delivering value instead of managing complexity. To scale effectively, consolidate your toolchain, define clear boundaries, and invest in platform engineering so teams can work autonomously within a reliable system. https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/constructing-a-framework-for-the-tfs-automation-platform/ Sun, 12 Jun 2011 04:44:02 +0000 https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/constructing-a-framework-for-the-tfs-automation-platform/ Outlines the structure and components of a framework for the TFS Automation Platform, detailing its architecture, plugin management, and development approach. https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/standard-environments-for-automated-deployment-and-testing/ Sun, 17 Mar 2013 06:23:45 +0000 https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/standard-environments-for-automated-deployment-and-testing/ Explains how to set up and use Standard Environments in Visual Studio 2012 TFS for automated software deployment and testing, enabling consistent, repeatable pipelines. https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-build-vnext-build-definition/ Wed, 04 Mar 2015 17:37:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-build-vnext-build-definition/ Microsoft’s new Build vNext system for TFS and VSO is more modular and user-friendly, offering a wide range of out-of-the-box build and deployment tasks, improved configuration options, and better auditability of changes. It currently supports only Git repositories and continuous integration triggers, with plans for greater extensibility and additional features in the future. Development managers should consider evaluating Build vNext in test environments to prepare for its eventual adoption and to explore its enhanced flexibility and control. https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/configure-a-build-vnext-agent/ Wed, 14 Jan 2015 14:55:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/configure-a-build-vnext-agent/ Microsoft’s new modular build system for TFS and VSO, currently in early preview, replaces the old controller model with a more flexible pool and queue approach, simplifying agent management and permissions. Setting up a vNext Build Agent requires spinning up your own VM, installing Visual Studio 2013 or 2015, and configuring the agent via PowerShell. Development managers should prepare for a shift to this new system and consider early testing to understand its benefits and requirements. https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/virtual-labs-in-the-modern-application-lifecycle/ Sat, 22 Sep 2012 05:22:14 +0000 https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/virtual-labs-in-the-modern-application-lifecycle/ Explores how virtual labs help development and operations teams manage, test, and automate complex modern application environments using virtualisation technologies. https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/anatomy-of-an-automation-for-the-tfs-automation-platform/ Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:25:46 +0000 https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/anatomy-of-an-automation-for-the-tfs-automation-platform/ Explains how to build, install, configure, and run automations for TFS, covering plugin deployment, activation, settings, UI integration, and job processing steps. https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/what-is-the-tfs-automation-platform/ Tue, 31 May 2011 18:00:04 +0000 https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/what-is-the-tfs-automation-platform/ A platform for automating Team Foundation Server tasks, enabling scheduled, event-driven, and on-demand workflows, with extensible package and Visual Studio integration. https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/installing-tfs-2012-with-lab-management-2012/ Wed, 20 Jun 2012 02:30:18 +0000 https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/installing-tfs-2012-with-lab-management-2012/ Step-by-step guide to installing and configuring TFS 2012 with Lab Management, including SQL Server, SCVMM integration, troubleshooting, and environment setup tips. https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/creating-a-wpf-work-item-control/ Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:14:21 +0000 https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/articles/creating-a-wpf-work-item-control/ Learn how to build a custom WPF work item control for Visual Studio Team System, enabling WPF UI integration in work item forms using a generic wrapper and IWorkItemControl. https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/tags/internal-developer-platform/ Mon, 24 Feb 2025 13:04:45 +0000 https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/tags/internal-developer-platform/ An Internal Developer Platform (IDP) is a unified environment designed to enhance the development lifecycle by enabling teams to efficiently build, test, and deploy applications. Originating from the need to simplify infrastructure management and application dependencies, an IDP allows developers to concentrate on delivering value rather than dealing with operational challenges. This platform cultivates a collaborative and innovative culture, empowering teams to experiment and iterate quickly within a structured framework. By embedding best practices into the development process, an IDP promotes reliability and predictability in software delivery. It also facilitates continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices, which are vital for maintaining competitiveness in rapidly evolving markets. By automating repetitive tasks and standardising workflows, an IDP boosts productivity and shortens lead times, enabling organisations to swiftly adapt to changing customer demands. Ultimately, the long-term advantages of an Internal Developer Platform lie in its capacity to foster a sustainable development ecosystem that aligns with organisational objectives, thereby driving innovation and operational excellence. This alignment is essential for nurturing a resilient and adaptive organisational culture focused on continuous improvement and value delivery. https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/tags/platform-engineering/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:16:54 +0000 https://engineering-leadership.hinshelwood.com/tags/platform-engineering/ Platform Engineering is the discipline focused on the design, construction, and maintenance of internal platforms that empower developers to deliver value independently, reliably, and swiftly. Originating from the need to streamline software development processes, it aims to alleviate cognitive load by abstracting the complexities of infrastructure and operations through well-crafted interfaces, tools, and APIs. This approach treats platforms as products, ensuring clear ownership, regular feedback, and ongoing enhancements based on developer requirements. A robust platform engineering capability fosters paved paths and self-service tools that facilitate secure, observable, and resilient software delivery while avoiding constraints that stifle innovation. By creating an environment conducive to rapid feedback, safe experimentation, and autonomous delivery across teams, Platform Engineering not only provides essential tools but also cultivates a cohesive developer experience that aligns with organisational strategy, ultimately enabling continuous value delivery at scale.