# Apollo Workbench: A Better Way to Design Federated Graphs

DevFeed: [Apollo Workbench: A Better Way to Design Federated Graphs](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/apollo-workbench-a-better-way-to-design-federated-graphs-23225.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.apollographql.com/blog/apollo-workbench-a-better-way-to-design-federated-graphs>)

Author: Michael Watson

Published: 2021-07-21T10:30:04Z

Content type: release

Language: en

Sources: [Apollo Blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/apollo-blog.md>)

Topics: [schema design](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/schema-design.md>), [GraphQL](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/graphql.md>), [Tool](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/tool.md>), [Template](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/template.md>)

Tags: [apollo](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/apollo.md>), [apollo-federation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/apollo-federation.md>), [backend](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/backend.md>), [design](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/design.md>), [graphql](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/graphql.md>), [mocking](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mocking.md>), [schema-design](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/schema-design.md>)

## AI overview

Apollo introduces Apollo Workbench, a tool for designing federated GraphQL schema changes before implementation. It supports composition-error checking, query-plan explanation, and local mocking to shorten feedback loops and help client developers work against a mocked federated graph.

## Source excerpt

I've been helping companies develop their graph using Apollo Federation for over two years now, and it's amazing to see all the different applications they've enabled. In developing one graph, companies often struggle to define a process for effectively governing changes to the federated schema. Some companies use a Google doc, while others use a blank piece of paper to plan out a new schema change. Regardless, there is always some medium used as a "template" for the desired governance process.