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Lam Shi Ling, Software Engineer, Product Design & Development Division, GovTech, Singapore
By Medha Basu
Women in GovTech Special Report 2017.
I’ve spent most of 2017 working on the API Exchange (APEX), a centralised government-wide API platform that enables agencies to securely share data through APIs. APEX handles many of the technical challenges of hosting APIs, such as authentication, rate-limiting, logging and auditing. APEX also simplifies the process of consuming APIs by providing self-service user onboarding and an API catalogue that facilitates API discovery.
I’m excited that APEX supports a vision of integrated government services, and fosters a mindset of collaboration and data-sharing.
What technology particularly interests you for 2018?
I’m amazed that companies such as LinkedIn are able to deploy builds into production multiple times a day, and have a short code-commit to deployment cycle. I’m interested in the CI/CD tools and processes that make this possible.
If you were to share one piece of advice that you learned in 2017, what would it be?
Often, technology is not the limiting factor of a product’s success, and technical knowledge is not the limiting factor of a person’s effectiveness. It is just as important to collaborate with one’s teammates and capture the imagination of a product’s users and stakeholders. I’ve learnt, and am still learning, how to communicate effectively to convince others and achieve consensus.
What book did you read in 2017 that most interested or inspired you?
One such book is “Quiet” by Susan Cain. Although I felt that the book over-advocated for introverts, I was interested in its exploration of the effect of introversion on various aspects of life.
Who inspired you in 2017, and why?
My colleagues inspire me everyday! They have an infectious amount of energy and passion for their work. I’m also inspired by their diversity of expertise and willingness to share their knowledge.
