Introduction
APIM Self‑Service enables delivery teams across Defra to onboard, manage, and deploy APIs into the shared Azure API Management platform quickly and safely without manual platform intervention.
It provides teams with autonomy while ensuring governance, security, and platform stability are enforced automatically.
Why use APIM Self‑Service?
Historically, onboarding APIs required manual reviews, configuration steps, and reliance on central teams, slowing delivery and increasing risk.
APIM Self‑Service addresses this by providing:
- Faster API onboarding (minutes, not days)
- No dependency on central DevOps for routine changes
- Built‑in security, policy, and governance guardrails
- Safe use of the shared APIM platform
- Clear and consistent production approvals
Teams stay in control — the platform handles the heavy lifting.
What’s automated for you?
The platform automates the end‑to‑end API lifecycle, including:
- GitHub‑based API scaffolding
- Automated OpenAPI and policy validation
- Azure DevOps deployment pipelines
- Controlled promotion to production
- Approval workflows and shared APIM governance
You focus on building APIs. The platform ensures they are secure, compliant, and deployable.
Who is this for?
APIM Self‑Service is designed for:
- Delivery teams building internal or external APIs
- Principal Developers responsible for API design and lifecycle
- Teams onboarding APIs at scale
- Programmes requiring predictable and auditable governance
How to get started
If you are ready to onboard or update an API:
- Review the APIM Self‑Service overview
- Follow the Principal Developer onboarding guide
- Onboard your API using the self‑service workflow
APIM Self‑Service Detailed Guidance
Key principle
Self‑service does not remove governance — it automates it.