Composability is trending in the business and technology landscape, with many companies considering adopting a composable solution.
In this guest post from Joel Varty, CTO of Agility CMS he points out that the real benefit businesses get by moving from a monolithic solution to a composable solution is the return on investment, provided they bypass the potential roadblocks.
Certain trends swiftly gain momentum in the ever-changing realm of technology and business, while others quietly recede into obscurity. Composability is one such concept that has been making waves recently. At the end of the day, decision-makers considering the transformation from the monolithic solutions need to know: will a composable architecture improve ROI?
Committing to a digital transformation is no casual undertaking. It requires commitment across departments and may require your team to rethink how they deliver digital experiences to audiences.
Do you fear change, or would you like to take advantage of the benefits of a more modern architecture?
By taking a strategic approach to a composable rollout with ROI at the core of your business strategy, you can take a practical approach and maintain a competitive edge with a best-of-breed tech stack now and into the future.
Rolling Out Composable Solutions: A Phased Approach
When rolling out a composable solution, one of the key strategies to nail down is a staged approach. It's about defining the most effective path, identifying the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and getting version one out the door with the knowledge that subsequent versions (two, three, and four) will follow. The aim is to keep things less complicated, moving swiftly, and maintaining the ability to iterate toward those future versions.
Having a medium and long-term plan in place is crucial from the outset, especially when you know you'll be iterating rapidly. This allows you to see successes early on, which keeps your team motivated and enables you to witness the tangible results of your efforts being shipped to the market. Get into the mindset of shipping frequently – perhaps even daily – and embrace a more agile approach to feature releases.
The flexibility of the phased approach enabled by composability contrasts traditional monolithic projects wherein you're rolling out different components of the same platform and are forced to meticulously plan all your requirements and touchpoints for the next 5 to 10 years. This can be a daunting task and may lead to delays and inflexibility.
With composable solutions, each system is often provided by a different company or platform. This means you can approach each component as a siloed project. For example, you can first focus on your Content Management System (CMS), ensuring it has all the necessary features.
Then, you can move on to the e-commerce platform, then the search functionality, and so on, allowing you to have a high-level understanding of requirements and proposed solutions for a faster more strategic rollout.
Composable solutions also enable you to assemble teams based on the specific needs of each project phase. If your MVP requires a small team to solve a particular problem, you can't wait to bring everyone on board, which can slow down progress. Instead, you can stay nimble and allocate resources as needed for each stage of development.
In essence, composable solutions offer a more flexible, iterative, and adaptable approach to projects, aligning technology and teams to create a smoother path toward achieving your goals.
Maximizing ROI with Composable Solutions
Now, let's dive deeper into the heart of the matter: why composable solutions are a game-changer when it comes to Return on Investment (ROI). One of the primary benefits is the speed at which you can launch your first iteration.
With composable solutions, your initial version gets out the door much more quickly, allowing you to start measuring your ROI immediately. This rapid deployment means you’re introducing something new and aligned with your current business needs, whether it's a revamped CMS for a fresh website or an entirely new e-commerce offering.
But speed isn't the only factor at play here. Composable solutions, rolled out using an agile methodology, enable you to pivot swiftly. This agility is crucial because the exact direction may need to be clarified in the early stages of a project. With a traditional, monolithic approach, deviating can be challenging once you've set a specific path in stone. With composable solutions, you can stop at Version 1, measure your ROI, and then pivot if needed.
This ability to pivot and perfect your results as you go is a key advantage of composable solutions. It even extends to the possibility of replacing an entire platform if it turns out to be the wrong fit. In the past, organizations might have been apprehensive about changing a core platform mid-project, fearing it would disrupt timelines and budgets.
But in the composable world, each component is evaluated and rolled out independently. Something that isn't working as expected can be adjusted or replaced without affecting the entire ecosystem. This approach ensures you're always getting the best ROI for your investment.
Moreover, the iterative nature of composable solutions allows you to take into account the lessons learned during each iteration. You might discover that you're on the right track, but you may want to pivot slightly or even explore an entirely new platform or architecture. With composable solutions, you can adapt your strategy based on your evolving needs and insights.
On the flip side, consider a scenario with a monolithic platform where you've invested time and resources in planning all the requirements for various components upfront. If one component doesn't work out as expected, it becomes challenging to pivot without significant disruptions. This ultimately results in delays and additional costs.
In larger enterprises, we're witnessing a shift in mindset. Organizations that have previously implemented massive monolithic solutions are now exploring composable solutions as a way to become more nimble and agile.
They're often taking a cautious approach, leaving their existing systems in place and choosing an MVP or Version 1 to test the waters. This approach allows them to see ROI on a smaller scale and helps assess how composable solutions align with their organizational culture, teams, and agencies.
Ultimately, composable solutions maximize ROI through speed and flexibility and enhance internal logistics. Smaller, more agile teams can work together more efficiently, improving outcomes and overall ROI. This combination of factors makes composable solutions compelling for organizations looking to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.
Challenges and Pitfalls in Achieving ROI
While the market is pushing composability, it does come with its unique challenges and pitfalls that can hinder projects from achieving a good return on investment (ROI).
1. Waterfall Mentality
Many individuals can be drawn to the structured nature of the waterfall approach. The desire for a clear project timeline from start to finish is understandable, as it provides a sense of completeness and accomplishment.
However, this mindset can be counterproductive when working with monolithic projects. They tend to move forward for a while and then, unfortunately, get frozen in time. This can result in multi-year projects that never quite reach completion.
2. Resistance to Change
Shifting from a traditional monolithic approach to a composable architecture requires a change in mindset and culture. Even when the decision to embrace composability is made from the top down or by a specific team member, not everyone within the organization may be fully on board. It's essential to ensure buy-in from all team members, as resistance to change can hinder progress.
3. Poor Planning
Planning plays a crucial role in project success, and it's about more than just having a detailed plan. It's about planning with the right goals, especially those that provide immediate value. Focusing too far into the future or failing to understand near-term goals can lead to effective planning and help ROI.
4. Lack of Testing and Verification
Even if the right goals are set, failing to test and verify results in a timely manner can be detrimental. Measuring ROI throughout the project's lifecycle is vital, especially after the first iteration. Waiting too long to test or ignoring test results can lead to wasted efforts.
5. Long Timelines
Extended project timelines can be misleading, making it challenging to understand what constitutes success. Businesses should shift their focus from timelines to iterations. Smaller, bite-sized iterations allow for continuous improvement and better alignment with business goals.
6. Over-Ownership
Some organizations tend to over-own projects to control every aspect of development. However, with composable solutions, it's possible to leverage external expertise or partners for certain components. Over-owning can hinder flexibility and the ability to optimize projects effectively.
7. Navigating Organizational Obstacles
Certain industries, like finance or legal, may face additional hurdles due to regulatory or compliance requirements. While these obstacles can slow down projects, it's crucial to anticipate them, build buffers into timelines, and engage in testing phases that consider these constraints.
Ultimately, the shift from a traditional monolithic approach to a composable architecture requires technological adaptation and a change in mentality and planning strategies. Embracing shorter iterations, continuous testing, and flexibility in project ownership can significantly improve the chances of achieving a successful ROI.
Unlocking ROI with Agility CMS
A robust return on investment (ROI) remains a top priority, and Agility CMScan help you achieve that. The transition from traditional monolithic approaches to composable architecture has emerged as a game-changer in this pursuit. While challenges and pitfalls can hinder progress, the path to success is illuminated by embracing change, optimizing planning, and prioritizing testing and verification.
Agility stands as a beacon of innovation and support amid this transformative journey. As a pioneer in composable architecture, Agility offers solutions designed to empower businesses and amplify their ROI. Here's how Agility excels in driving ROI:
1. Composable Architecture: Agility provides the foundation for businesses to adopt a composable architecture seamlessly. This modern approach allows organizations to break free from rigid, monolithic structures and compose their digital ecosystems with flexibility and agility.
2. White-Glove Service: Maximizing ROI requires more than just technology; it demands expertise and guidance. Agility goes beyond providing a platform by offering a white-glove service. Users benefit from personalized support and strategic insights, ensuring that every dollar invested leads to tangible returns.
3. MACH Alliance Membership: Agility proudly holds membership in the MACH Alliance, a testament to its commitment to composable technology principles. Agility CMS is closely connected with some of the best composable tech integrators globally through this alliance. This network ensures users can leverage the best integrations and technologies to enhance their ROI further.
The journey to a better ROI is marked by transforming your digital architecture and embracing change at its core. Agility serves as a trusted partner on this journey, offering a cutting-edge platform and the guidance and expertise needed to navigate the complexities of modern digital business.
Unlock the full potential of your digital strategy, break free from the constraints of monolithic systems, and embark on a path where your ROI can continuously thrive. With Agility CMS, the future of composable architecture is now, and the possibilities are limitless.