Why API Lifecycles Matter, Where Design Fits, & How to Get Started

Learn how to infuse the design-first mentality throughout the totality of your full API management lifecycle. Let’s walk through the problem, why it matters, what resources you have available, and how you can set your API program up for your success. See more return on your API program — let’s design first and develop better.



What is API Design?
API Design in the Lifecycle



APIs as a Product
Connect to a Product Mindset



Solving Your API Problems
API Design Lifecycle Stages



What to Do Next
How Stoplight Fits In

API Design in the Lifecycle

What is API Design?

The Solution for API Problems

In a software development lifecycle where APIs are an afterthought, the results are vulnerability, inconsistency, time, and lack of adoption.

The Problem

The Solution

Software development today is driven by connection.
APIs cannot be an afterthought.

A process, showing Analyze, Edit, Build, API, Test, Debug, Deploy, Monitor, and Diagnose. The process ends in a failure, because API was introduced midway through the process.

An improved flow chart resembling an infinity loop, showing Define, Design, Build, Test, Debug, Deploy, Monitor, Audit, Diagnose, Tune, and Feedback. APIs are encompassing the whole process, being involved from start to finish.

Want to talk to someone about how your enterprise could benefit?

Contact Sales 

Connect APIs to a Product Mindset

APIs are a Product

A chart showing two sides. On the left, Code-First: Business, Input, Code, and Documentation. On the right side, Design-First: Business Input, API-Design, and Code, all encompassed by API Documentation.

Code-First vs. Design-First

APIs are a product and should be treated as such. In an API design-first development process, API architects begin with writing a specification and engaging all stakeholders in the process from its inception.

The result of a design-first process is an API product that is comprehensive, consistent, and understandable by both collaborators and machines.

Treating your APIs as products means using a design-first approach to produce the best possible product.

API Design Lifecycle Stages

Solving Your API Problem

Full API lifecycle management is the process of overseeing an API from its creation to retirement across its full life span. This includes everything from designing, publishing, documenting, securing, and analyzing APIs.

When it comes to breaking down the API Design process itself, there is not a single approach or one “right way.” Instead, we need to lean on proven practices for design to inform the process.

Here at Stoplight, we call this the API Design Lifecycle Stages, consisting of the following stages: Definition, Discovery, Design, Document, Collaborate and Govern.

Define

Create high-quality API designs in line with industry best practices and organizational needs by enforcing built-in or custom style guides. The API design is the most crucial part of the lifecycle, and the design-first process should guide each stage of the lifecycle.

Case Study

Highmark Health Decreases Delivery Time with Streamlined Collaboration

Blog

API-First, API Design-First, or Code-First: Which Should You Choose?

GUIDE

API Types and Protocols Guide

Blog

4 Reasons Why You Should Approach APIs with a Design-First Mindset

Discover

You need to have visibility and discoverability into the APIs you’re running in production. API discovery is the ability to search and find different API resources that you can use to seal the loopholes in your existing workflows. Having an overall view of all APIs currently being designed, deployed, monitored, and deprecated is crucial to scaling a successful API program.

Case Study

Schneider Electric Cuts Development Time with OpenAPI Linting and Design Libraries

Blog

How Discoverability Leads to API Innovation

Docs

Stoplight Explorer Overview

Blog

How Companies Are Exposing Their API Design Assets Internally

Design

Case Study

How Calendly Wins with Design-First APIs

Guide

API Design Guide

Blog

A Practical Guide to API Design-First

Docs

Stoplight API Design Overview

Document

Help internal and external users discover, learn, and integrate with your API quickly by publishing interactive documentation, tutorials, and code samples that are always up to date. It’s important to generate comprehensive documentation that is always in sync. Help your developers discover value in your APIs faster by trying out API endpoints from within the API documentation.

Case Study

PagerDuty Delivers Consistency and Better Developer Experience with Stoplight Tools

Guide

API Documentation Guide and Best Practices

Blog

Tech Writers: Who You Need to Collaborate With

Blog

Ask the Doc(umentation Writer)

Collaborate

Improve alignment and collaboration by bringing internal and external stakeholders together in a single platform through style guides, design reviews, close synchronization between internal teams, and a regular feedback loop from your users to your developers.

Case Study

How wefox Makes Insurance Simpler with API-First Design

Blog

Three API Collaboration Patterns You Should Follow

Blog

API Collaboration: Typical Governance Models

Blog

Setting Up a Killer API Design Team: Part 1

Govern

Improve your API program’s standardization and ability to scale by implementing proper governance and style guidelines. Govern APIs at scale with an always-in-sync, central repository of API designs, schemas, and documentation. You’ll want to build an effective governance strategy that compliments your organization's current practices with a clear view of the current state of design and documentation.

Case Study

How Consistency and Collaboration Lead to API Success at Fiserv

Blog

How to Create a Successful API Governance Program

Blog

Style Guides Rulebook: Public Style Guides in Stoplight Platform

Webinar

Deep Dive into Style Guides Webinar

How Stoplight Fits In

What to Do Next

Now that you have the full picture, see how Stoplight fits into your full API Lifecycle journey. Become customer-centric in API design and development, and get started for free by signing up for a Workspace in Stoplight. Let’s design first, develop better.

A lifecycle, with "Left" and "Right" of the "API Lifecycle" shown on either side, and "How Stoplight Fits in the API Lifecycle" in the center. On the left: New API Business Case, Set Design Scope, Design the API, Mock and Document, and Review the API. On the right: Build API, Deploy API, Review API Implementation, Release the API, and Monitor the API.

Get Started with API Design for Free

Press Kit

About Stoplight

Stoplight is a collaborative API design platform that integrates seamlessly into your existing workflows to enable effective connections that drive business growth. Visit our About Us section to learn about our social impact, our core values, and teammates.

Our Product Offerings

Stoplight Platform Open-Source Projects

Check out our brand guidelines and press kit 

           

Adopting an API-first philosophy with Stoplight has helped us cut 80% off development time, from idea to consumption. The reason that’s shrinking is that now we get it right the first time.

Paul Trevino, Senior Manager of Engineering, Transact