Replatforming to Microservices: Insights from Hassan Lachgar, VP of Engineering at EcoVadis

Introduction?

In a recent episode of CTO Talks, I explored the intricate journey of replatforming to a microservices architecture with Hassan Lachgar, VP of Engineering at EcoVadis . With Hassan's extensive experience and unique vantage point, the conversation offered a lot of great insights. With this article I will try to summarize key learnings for readers considering a similar technological transition.?

Contextual Background?

EcoVadis , a leader in business sustainability ratings, has been experiencing significant growth, recently reaching the milestone of 1,500 employees. The tech team alone is nearly 300 strong. As the company scales, the limitations of its existing technology stack have become increasingly evident, prompting a move toward a more agile and scalable microservices architecture.?

The Decision to Replatform?

Hassan emphasized that the replatforming journey is less about the technology itself and more about what the technology can enable: greater team autonomy, enhanced creativity, and ultimately, better service delivery to customers. The company has adopted a phased approach to ensure that customer service remains uninterrupted during this transition. This balanced allocation of resources is crucial for maintaining ongoing operations while making significant technological changes.?

Strategy and Planning?

One of the standout points from the conversation was the importance of having a well-defined target and vision before sarting the replatforming journey. The strategy involves a case-by-case development of microservices, always in alignment with broader organizational objectives. Hassan's insights underscored the value of aligning technological architecture with the future operational model of the organization.?

Organizational Changes?

The shift to microservices is not just a technological change but also an organizational one. New roles have been introduced, and existing structures have been adapted to better align with the new technological landscape. The team has responded positively to these changes, although the complexities of coordinating a large team have presented some challenges.?

Challenges and Lessons Learned?

Two major challenges stood out from our discussion: the difficulty of synchronization among a large team and the complexities of navigating a legacy system. Hassan also highlighted the critical importance of data integrity in any replatforming process. A failure in data integrity could have far-reaching consequences, making it a top priority in their strategy.?

Recommendations and Future Outlook?

For organizations contemplating a similar transition, Hassan's advice was clear: establish a clear vision, ensure you have the right skills and resources, and invest time in proactive planning. These preparations can significantly smooth out the bumps in the road ahead. As for EcoVadis, the focus post-replatforming will be on continuous improvement to maintain system quality.?

Key Takeaways?

• A clear vision and strategy are foundational for successful replatforming.?
• Organizational changes, including new roles, are often necessary and should be planned for.?
• Challenges, while inevitable, can be managed effectively with the right approach.?
• Data integrity is a non-negotiable aspect of any replatforming process.?

Conclusion?

The conversation with Hassan Lachgar offered a comprehensive look into the challenges and considerations involved in replatforming to a microservices architecture. I trust that some of these insights will also bring value for anyone looking to modernize their technology stack while navigating the complexities of growth and change.?

For those who wish to delve deeper into this topic, the full interview is available here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/scaling-up-microservices-growth-strategy-cto-talks-community%3FtrackingId=flOfdsEO9QU4UylcsMve5A%253D%253D/?trackingId=flOfdsEO9QU4UylcsMve5A%3D%3D

In case you missed it, you can still watch or listen to the complete episode wherever most convenient for you:??

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