Should you or Should you not

This guide outlines a framework for successfully implementing new technologies, with a focus on microservices as an example. This framework can be applied to any technology adoption process.

Should we do microservices?

The widespread adoption of microservices in software development has led some to question whether this approach is the best choice.

Here is a post from Segment on why they consolidated their microservices into a monolith.

Microservices have reached the peak of their hype cycle, according to the Hype cycle model. This means that initial inflated expectations and enthusiasm for the technology have now been tempered by a better understanding of its limitations and challenges.

A framework for adopting new technologies

Consider the following steps before making a decision:

• Clearly define the problem you are trying to solve

• Understand how the new technology addresses this problem

• Research the technology's evolution and how it has been used by others

• Identify any necessary supporting structures or resources to effectively utilize the new technology

While these steps may seem straightforward, thoroughly following them is crucial for the successful adoption of new technologies.

Clearly define the problem you are trying to solve

Defining the problem you're trying to solve with microservices is the first and most important step. Without a clear understanding of the issue at hand, it will be difficult to find a solution.

Consider the specifics of the problem you're facing. Is it a performance issue with your application? Are you looking to increase team productivity? By identifying the specific problem you're trying to solve, you may be able to find a non-disruptive solution, such as improving communication between teams.

Take the time to thoroughly understand the problem before deciding on a course of action. Don't rush into implementing microservices or any other new technology without fully understanding the problem it's intended to solve.

Understand how the new technology solves the problem

To properly evaluate the effectiveness of a new technology, it's important to understand how it addresses the specific problem you're trying to solve. Make sure to define the problem clearly, as outlined in the first step of the framework.

There are two main categories of reasons for adopting microservices: technical and logistical. Understanding which of these categories applies to your situation can help you make an informed decision.

Technical

If your application has become complex and includes various workloads that require different types of resources, it may be beneficial to consider breaking it down into microservices. This allows you to better accommodate the specific needs of each workload, such as CPU-intensive, IO-heavy, or memory-hungry processes. By extracting these workloads into individual microservices, you can host them on servers that are optimized for their specific requirements.

Additionally, if your application includes workloads that would be better solved in different programming languages, microservices can provide the flexibility to code these portions of the application in the language of your choice. This can help you take advantage of the strengths of different languages and improve the overall performance and maintainability of your application.

Logistical

If your application and company have evolved to the point where different teams are responsible for different areas of the application, it may be beneficial to consider breaking down the monolith into microservices that reflect this team structure. This can help teams work independently and more efficiently, without the risk of conflicting with one another. By dividing the application into microservices that correspond to each team's area of responsibility, you can promote greater independence and productivity.

Examining the long-term trajectory of the technology

When researching the history of a technology, it's important to consider the cultural context of its evolution and how it has been understood and used by different groups. The common definition of a term may not always align with its formal description, so it's important to consider the context in which it is being used.

For example, when people refer to microservices, they may be thinking of Services Oriented Architecture (SOA) rather than the specific concept of microservices. Understanding this context can help you evaluate whether the technology is a good fit for your needs.

Large companies like Amazon and Netflix have played a significant role in popularizing microservices, but this may not necessarily make them the best choice for every organization. If you are a small startup with a small tech team, for example, microservices may not be the most practical or feasible solution. By studying the evolution of the technology and building perspective, you can better understand its suitability for your specific situation.

Prerequisites for effective use of the new technology

Introducing a new technology often requires changes to your current processes and systems. Some of these changes may be minor, while others may be more significant.

For microservices to be effective, it may be necessary to invest in certain tools and systems, such as a robust monitoring system to handle the challenges of distributed computing. However, it's important to be aware that these changes may have a significant impact on your organization and to carefully consider the trade-offs involved. In some cases, the benefits of the new technology may not outweigh the costs of the required changes.

Summary

Thoroughly defining the problem, understanding how the new technology addresses it, researching its evolution, and identifying necessary supporting structures may require a significant investment of time upfront, but it pays off by helping to prevent problems and disasters during the adoption process. Many technology choices fail due to a lack of careful planning and preparation. By following these steps, you can increase the chances of successful adoption of the new technology.