Cloud-Native Platform Engineering For Enterprise Applications

The rapid evolution of enterprise information systems, driven by digital transformation and large-scale cloud adoption, has intensified the need for scalable, resilient, and continuously deployable application architectures. Traditional infrastructure management models, characterized by siloed operations and manual provisioning, struggle to accommodate the dynamic requirements of distributed and microservices-based systems. In response, cloud-native platform engineering has emerged as a strategic paradigm that restructures enterprise IT operations through automation, standardization, and developer-centric design. Rather than merely managing infrastructure, platform engineering focuses on building Internal Developer Platforms (IDPs) that abstract complexity, embed governance controls, and enable self-service capabilities across development teams. This review systematically examines the foundational principles and architectural constructs underpinning cloud-native platform engineering. It analyzes the integration of containerization technologies, microservices architectures, orchestration frameworks such as Kubernetes, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and DevOps practices within enterprise ecosystems. Particular emphasis is placed on how these enabling technologies collectively support scalable workload management, automated deployment pipelines, policy-driven governance, and comprehensive observability frameworks. The review further explores the role of IDPs in reducing cognitive load, enforcing compliance, and standardizing operational workflows across multi-team and multi-cloud environments. In addition to technological enablers, the study critically evaluates key challenges associated with cloud-native platform adoption, including multi-cloud heterogeneity, expanded security attack surfaces, regulatory compliance pressures, cultural transformation barriers, and skill shortages. By synthesizing recent scholarly literature and industry best practices, the review identifies recurring architectural patterns, governance models, and maturity pathways that support successful enterprise implementation. The findings highlight that platform engineering acts as a structural bridge between development and operations, institutionalizing DevOps principles into scalable, product-oriented platforms. This transformation not only accelerates application delivery but also strengthens resilience, operational consistency, and security posture in distributed environments. Furthermore, the review outlines emerging directions such as AI-driven operations (AIOps), policy-as-code automation, FinOps integration, and edge-cloud orchestration, which are expected to redefine the next generation of enterprise cloud-native strategies. Overall, cloud-native platform engineering is positioned as a foundational discipline for modern enterprise IT, enabling organizations to balance agility with governance while navigating the increasing complexity of distributed digital ecosystems.