IT Abstraction as a Strategic Management Tool
Although abstraction is a purely IT architectural approach that – when done correctly – remains invisible to users, it should be one of the key aspects that IT decision makers focus on when making their decisions.
In very simple terms, abstraction is a way to hide a complex system behind a simple interface. When done right, abstraction can deliver tangible benefits to your business: increased speed, flexibility, and security.
Right now, you’re probably looking at a graphical user interface—whether in a browser or an application. You can’t see the millions of lines of code, scripts, and instructions that power that system. And that’s what abstraction is all about: simplifying interactions without having to understand the underlying complexity.
This is how layers in IT work. They’re designed to help those who work with them be as efficient as possible.
Abstraction Does Not Always Mean Simplification
Corporate IT consists of multiple layers stacked on top of each other. Simplifying the top layer can create more complexity in the layer below it. So abstraction often means that complexity is moved elsewhere – not that it disappears.
Especially in cases where abstraction is poorly designed, it can complicate things instead of simplifying them. That’s why it’s crucial to properly define its purpose and analyze the impact on the rest of the system.
Abstraction in Various IT Layers
At the Application and Software Level
Users enjoy working in an environment that is simple and clear. Such abstraction ensures faster work, lower error rates, and easier maintenance.
For example, companies often use platforms like Shopify for e-commerce, deploy CRM with ready-made integrations, or use ready-to-use frameworks like React when developing their own products.
In a company, abstraction is manifested by the use of shared libraries, consistent components, or a unified approach to development. However, if this layer is not set up correctly, fragmentation, duplication, and reduced efficiency of work across teams may occur.
At the Infrastructure Level
This layer is often invisible to decision makers – and that’s a good thing. A properly designed infrastructure is “invisible” because it works smoothly. Abstraction here allows for:
- optimization of operating costs
- reduction of dependence on specific suppliers
- higher scalability
- automation of environment management
For example, OpenStack in the form of IaaS abstracts physical computing resources into virtual ones, so the company does not have to deal with hardware. Kubernetes-as-a-Service simplifies working with containers – developers deal with the application, not the infrastructure. And multicloud dashboards allow you to manage different cloud environments from one place.
However, the benefits only occur when the architecture is properly designed. Otherwise, abstraction can become a source of problems.
Strategic Benefits of Abstraction for Decision Makers
Abstraction is not just a technical detail. From a management perspective, it brings these key benefits:
- Faster delivery of new features – teams build on existing building blocks, which reduces development time and simplifies iteration.
- Less dependency on specific people – a standardized approach reduces the risk when key people are leaving and facilitates onboarding.
- Lower maintenance and change costs – changes can be made centrally, without the need for interventions in multiple system locations.
- Higher system resilience – separate layers prevent the propagation of errors and simplify problem diagnostics.
- Scalability – new teams, products or requirements can be added without rewriting existing systems.
- Better decision-making – uniform and valid data increases the credibility of reports and simplifies strategic management.
When Abstraction Goes Too Far or Doesn't Exist?
Excessive Abstraction
Imagine a nesting doll. When it has 4 layers, it’s fun. When it has 4,000, it’s absurd. The same goes for IT: when abstraction is overdone, the result is unnecessary complexity, reduced clarity, and higher costs.
For example, in some React applications, developers create unnecessary layers and wrappers for simple functions—the result is unreadable, cumbersome, and difficult-to-maintain code.
No Abstraction
At the other end of the spectrum is an environment without any abstraction: everyone solves tasks in their own way, there are no standards or shared components. There is unnecessary duplication, chaos and the creation of technology debt. The system is fragile and dependent on specific people.
Use Case
Proper Abstraction: Clinical Data at Alameda Health System
Alameda Health System outsourced clinical data abstraction management to an external partner. This unified the approach to data collection, increased accuracy (over 98%), and allowed internal teams to focus on strategy instead of operations.
How to Discern a Malfunctioning Abstraction?
- Repetitive activities without shared solutions,
- Cumbersome management and costly changes,
- Untouchable parts of the system,
- Non-existent or chaotic documentation,
- Dependence on a specific person.
If you are experiencing these symptoms in your company, it may be time to take a deeper look at your IT architecture – ideally with a partner who can design the appropriate level of abstraction.
Abstraction as a Tool for Growth
Abstraction is not just a technical term, but a real tool for strategic IT management. It helps manage complexity, increase efficiency and allows a company to grow without chaos. Properly designed abstraction ensures clarity, scalability and resilience – exactly what modern organizations need.
This article describes the principles. Our job is to turn them into a functional reality. Are you interested in what abstraction could look like in your IT? We will be happy to advise you.
