Summary: • Only 33% of platform teams have product managers, yet 52% say PMs are crucial—this 19-point gap predicts failure better than any technology choice • Spotify’s Backstage achieved 99% voluntary adoption with a PM; external adopters average 10% adoption without one • The 2024 DORA Report found platform teams decreased throughput by 8% and stability by 14%—platforms make things worse before better • The 5 predictive metrics: (1) PM exists, (2) Baseline established, (3) NPS over 20, (4) Voluntary adoption over 50%, (5) Time to value under 30 days • Decision framework: Under 10 engineers don’t build platforms; at 100+ start with 3 people (1 PM, 2 engineers)