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Designing an Architecture for Smooth Migration from Camunda 7 to 8

Toby Cook and Vicky James discuss creating a clear migration pathway for Deloitte UK to Camunda 8.
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Implementing process orchestration solutions can be daunting, especially when planning for future transitions between versions. This was the case for Toby Cook, director of digital delivery, and Vicky James, senior Camunda architect at Deloitte UK. They discussed their journey from Camunda 7 to Camunda 8 and how they created a clear migration pathway to Camunda 8 on behalf of one of their clients.

At CamudaCon Berlin, 2024, they explored the strategy they employed, with insights gained throughout the process.

Screenshot of a presentation for CamundaCon 2024 Berlin with Deloitte
Click to view presentation

The client’s challenge

Their client, the Defense Geographic Center (DGC/NCAP), required an updated system for managing geographic artifacts. DGC/NCAP holds more than 26 million aerial photographs from around the globe, many declassified and released by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and taken during the Second World War and the Cold War.

Their existing processes were manual and repetitive, which could lead to poor data quality and user fatigue. The goal was to modernize operations, streamline processes, and ensure data accuracy.

Creating a path for migration

Cook and James’s approach to solving this challenge was multifaceted. In their presentation, they discuss how they began by externalizing a custom task list application and adopting the external task pattern in Camunda 7, which set the groundwork for a seamless migration from Camunda 7 to Camunda 8.

They also embraced a microservices architecture, informed by domain driven design (DDD), ensuring modular and flexible systems that could grow with their client’s needs.

“We’ve delivered more than 25 feature sets in 12 months. Modular architecture in the workflow and the bespoke UI design system have significantly reduced the delivery time of further products, greatly increasing return on investment.”

Vicky James, Senior Camunda Architect, Deloitte UK

Technical innovations and custom solutions

One critical aspect of the solution was creating a custom task list application. This approach allowed them to deliver a user-friendly experience tailored to the client’s requirements. Cook and James also discuss how they developed a custom forms engine to enhance the user interface, addressing one of the key pain points: data entry and management.

Valuable lessons learned

Throughout the project, Cook, James, and their team learned several valuable lessons:

  • Engage users early and often to build trust and ensure the solution fits their needs.
  • Prepare for compatibility challenges, such as those they faced with Keycloak integration.
  • Consider security implications when using managed services such as Amazon OpenSearch.
  • Use embedded reusable processes for operational efficiency and maintainability.
  • Accelerate delivery by leveraging reusable components and patterns.

Outcomes and business value

The results of Cook and James’s project for DGC/NCAP were significant. They achieved:

  • Improved data quality and user experience.
  • Operational efficiencies through automated stock management.
  • Optimized reporting, allowing the business to make informed decisions.
  • High resiliency and security of mission-critical systems.
  • Reduced time to value, with the ability to demonstrate proof of concept in just a few weeks.

“We’ve been surprised by the user engagement we’ve seen throughout the process, and we’ve been able to vastly improve legacy processes, increase efficiency, and deliver measurable change for our clients.”

Toby Cook, Director of Digital Delivery, Deloitte UK

In their presentation, Cook and James discuss how their journey with the DGC/NCAP has been enlightening and rewarding. The positive feedback from users and the operational improvements achieved are testaments to the benefits of a well-thought-out approach to workflow solution implementation.

As they embark on new projects directly on Camunda 8, they are confident in their ability to build upon the successes and learnings, delivering even more value to their clients.

Considering future projects

As they transition to new projects on Camunda 8, Cook and James discussed how they are excited to build reusable services to aid others in their Camunda 7 to Camunda 8 migrations. Their experience has shown that with careful planning, a user-centric focus, and a commitment to agile methodologies, breaking projects down into several dynamic sprints, it is possible to create an architecture that not only meets current needs but also paves the way for future growth and essential technological advancement.

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