API Governance

Abstract

API governance is distinct from SOA governance. API governance provides a policy-driven approach that helps to enforce standards and checkpoints throughout the API lifecycle. It encompasses not only the API runtime, but also design through development processes. It includes the guidelines, standards, and processes to be followed for API identification, interface documentation, development, testing, deployment, run, and operation. Standards and principles defined by API governance provide API quality assurance, such as security, availability, scalability, and reliability. It underpins the API enablement aspect that is critical for the successful adoption of APIs.