When an Internal Developer Platform doesn't make sense

An Internal Developer Platform (IDP) can significantly improve developer productivity by reducing cognitive load and enabling self-service. However, the Return on Investment (ROI) of an IDP varies depending on factors such as team types, technology stacks, and application maturity. IDPs have the most significant impact on actively developed cloud native applications due to their high degree of change and complexity. Conversely, legacy applications in maintenance mode have low ROI from using an IDP because developers are already familiar with processes and infrastructure management. To decide which applications should be onboarded onto an IDP, consider factors such as the application's rate of change, tech stack, and the potential benefits gained from using the platform. Prioritize high-ROI apps first to maximize value and then gradually add more marginal apps over time.