Developer Experience at American Express | Michelle Swartz (American Express)

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In this episode, Michelle Swartz, Vice president of Developer Enablement American Express, shares insights on improving developer experience. She discusses the creation of an onboarding bootcamp and the development of the AmEx Way Library for better knowledge management. Michelle explains how AmEx balances standardization and flexibility with the concept of Paved Roads. She also highlights the importance of measuring success, fostering community, and elevating the company's tech credibility.

Mentions and links

• GenAI Guide

Timestamps

• (5:45) Challenges of advocating for DevEx in non-tech companies
• (7:43) Importance of senior leadership buy-in for DevEx
• (9:58) Genesis of the DevEx organization and Jedi Council
• (12:12) Transition to a dedicated DevEx function
• (13:17) Formalizing investment in DevEx
• (18:02) Initial efforts and learning in improving DevEx
• (19:25) Using sentiment surveys to prioritize DevEx areas
• (27:26) Addressing knowledge management challenges
• (29:49) Balancing standardization and freedom in DevEx
• (36:21) Implementing Paved Roads: evolution vs. revolution