Over the past 5 years we have seen more and more end customers, regardless of sector, look to break down their monolithic platform with composability in mind.
Cost, flexibility, scalability, innovation, and speed are some of the key benefits of doing this however what often goes unspoken are the challenges of undergoing such a transformation and how these can be overcome.
The Simply Commerce podcast, The FOD, has focussed on this exact topic over the last two seasons with insightful conversation that spotlights the experience of guest speakers who are at the top of their game including digital commerce leaders with end customers, agencies, and software vendors who have all been at the very heart of said transformations.
There’s no denying there are many benefits to a part, or fully, de-composed architecture, however, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is the right thing for your business.
First and foremost, it’s vital to understand your business requirements and goals before deciding on the technology you want to proceed with.
There are currently a handful of options; from part-build/buy components for a bespoke architecture (we’ve been seeing this for some time already) to a fully de-composed eco-system. You also have new platforms being released built on MACH principles as their foundation as well as individual vendors with pre-built connectors to ensure a quick go-to-market timeframe.
Should you decide on moving forward with a part or fully composable architecture here’s a summary of some of the top tips to ensure a successful implementation and delivery, taken from our guests who have lived, breathed, and worked through them:
- Understand your business goals before doing anything.
- Speak to industry peers who have undergone the transformation. Ask them, what didn’t go to plan and what would they do differently next time.
- Make sure the entire business understands how their roles will be impacted and ensure they are all bought in.
- Be meticulous when picking your third parties, delivery partners, and vendors. They are going to be key to your success.
- If you aren’t technology mature then consider hiring an experienced Business Analyst and Solution Architect to ensure the business demands are at the forefront.
- Start small to see ROI quickly. This will help ensure continued buy-in. Composable transformations aren’t designed to be a big bang, but it is likely business leaders will want to see some short-term gains from the investment.
- Ensure communication is a constant throughout the business. Success stories are key to keep everyone engaged but managing expectations will also be vital at key milestones in the project.
With 30% of new projects in 2024 having composability in mind, we are already seeing a direct impact on changes to hiring strategies and the search for the right talent and skill set across the whole of the digital commerce ecosystem as businesses review and strengthen their technology teams. Since the start of 2023, we’ve already assisted a number of end customers with a complete review (and re-shape) of their teams as part of their composable journey, including new hires across testing, engineering, leadership, and change management.
We’ve also seen a surge in demand for those working on a contract basis.
Moving to composable will almost certainly require different skill sets and technical capabilities, so the business must be fully aware of the impact this will have on future needs, as well as on the incumbent team, and the part they will have to play in the transformation.
Even outside of the traditional tech teams, other parts of the business will be impacted too, particularly where new processes or technologies are introduced, so considering the holistic view of your people strategy here is key. Recognising the broader organisational impact beyond just the technical teams is key, as is selecting any external partners – including those best placed to help with the recruitment of new hires.
Ultimately, proactive planning and investment in talent development are essential for businesses to thrive – although that can be said for those moving to Composable, or indeed sticking with their monolithic approach as well.
What we do know is that companies who have decided to embark on a composable transformation are more likely to require a strong internal technology capability, even if they initially seek external help with delivery or project management.
About Simply Commerce
As a specialist recruiter in the digital commerce space for over a decade, there’s no one better placed to understand the journey you are embarking on, particularly when it comes to sourcing (and securing) the best talent on the market.
We are perfectly placed to advise on skillset requirements, cost, and availability as well as a go-to-market plan to ensure you’re hiring the best possible professionals all of the time. Skillset cost and availability in particular is something we have found isn’t discussed enough with the vendors, and is of huge value to our existing clients.
For more information and a free consultancy around the availability of resources for your transformation CLICK HERE to start that conversation.
