API Centric over API First

Working in 'vertical slices' (API, testing, database, UI) is a keystone habit for Agile Product development. API First implies a horizontal development pattern where the API goes to a 'Backend' development team with its own Product Owner. DevOps teams in the BC Public Service are autonomous and cross-functional, working on the API layer simultaneously with all other layers.

The Government of Canada standards promote an API-Centric approach including principle 4, "Consume what you build" which states in part, "Build APIs in parallel with an internal use case".

Frontend and Backend teams introduce waiting (one of Lean's muda/wastes).

Please consider API Centric over API First.