Project snapshot
In close collaboration with our client, we developed a transformation approach that enhances system maintainability and scalability, as well as facilitates legacy code management. Based on deep analysis and research, we provided recommendations for enhancing their development platform and implementing a data governance framework.
We consulted our client on various data contract strategies to streamline the transition from a monolithic to a service-oriented architecture. Our efforts focused on enhancing development efficiency and data consistency through implementing data contracts.
Our client, a European financial services company, is a national leader on the lending and loan management market. Committed to making loans accessible and comfortable for customers, the organization leverages advanced data technologies to provide top-notch services.
Business challenge
The lending company reached out to Intellias, seeking consultation on a comprehensive business modernization. Over the years, their legacy software based on monolithic architecture started showing inefficiencies and called for a complete overhaul to meet the required service standards. The company recognized the need to redesign the existing architecture into a modular structure, aiming for higher performance and better maintainability. At the same time, the software reorganization had to ensure business continuity and uninterrupted financial services to customers.
Before contacting Intellias, the company sought modernization advice from other service providers, but didn’t achieve the desired results. Having analyzed Intellias’s track record and expertise, the client entrusted us with designing a comprehensive modernization roadmap.
Focusing on improving their data management strategy, the company engaged Intellias to conduct research and design a data contracts solution, seeking to optimize the transition of their credit scoring application to a service-oriented architecture. This software, essential for providing credit scoring services to multiple financial organizations, required a shift from its legacy monolithic structure to improve scalability and maintainability.
During the discovery phase, we identified a lack of effective data governance elements. The client saw the benefits of using data contracts for introducing data exchange standards and sought expert research and consultation on different implementation approaches.
Solution
We began with an all-encompassing assessment of the client’s legacy systems, including a deep business analysis of all processes and technological discovery. Focused on identifying key problem areas and prioritizing an understanding of the underlying processes, we applied the principles of the domain-driven design methodology to create solutions tailored to specific business needs.
To identify business process boundaries, our experts held event storming workshops with the client’s stakeholders and suggested a new approach to the development platform. To support our client in adopting platform transformation, we provided knowledge sharing sessions on infrastructure management, modern DevOps practices, and distributed testing.
For a deeper understanding of data issues and their root causes, our engineers created a custom tool that visualizes all data relations and dependencies. This tool allows the client to verify their data infrastructure, pinpoint specific issues and data dependencies, and identify the modules that require attention. The entire project follows the principles of domain-driven design, taking into account the specifics of the lending and loan management industry and being driven by the core business processes.
To address our client’s data management concerns, our data architects and data governance experts designed a custom, lean data governance framework based on the client’s specific requirements. We also adjusted data management standards and rules to align seamlessly with the client’s processes.
To help our client’s stakeholders choose the optimal approach to data contracts, we provided an in-depth feasibility analysis of different data contract formats and recommendations for their implementation. Our data governance consultants conducted knowledge sharing sessions on Kafka data flow management, contract-driven development practices, and CI/CD, which were integral in supporting the client’s transition.
Our team designed and implemented a data contract model, focusing on:
- Data quality and integrity: Ensuring trustworthiness and reliability of data across services.
- Metadata management: Aligning metadata definitions and standards with data contracts to ensure clarity and consistency in data usage.
- Security and privacy control: Establishing robust controls to safeguard data and comply with regulations.
- Data ownership and communication: Facilitating clear communication and understanding of data responsibilities among stakeholders.
- Change management: Enabling dynamic updates to data contracts to accommodate evolving business needs.
The proposed data contract methodology is intended to enhance collaboration and reduce eventual risks and development error rate.
Business outcomes
The analytical research performed by our data experts created a strong foundation for the company’s modernization and outlined the first steps needed to re-architecture the business processes. Our analysis helped the client validate their platform redesign decisions and move forward with the transformation of the entire development process.
Our expert team — including a delivery manager, architect, business process analyst, and data engineer — contributed to designing a strategic roadmap for the comprehensive modernization of the client’s development platform. For each value stream, we provided a holistic analysis of business processes, enabling our client to take practical transformation steps.
The research and consultancy on data contracts laid a solid groundwork for modernizing the company’s data management strategies. Our approach provided the client with clear pathways for redesigning development processes, improving data consistency, and enhancing overall service quality. The tailored data contracts standardized data exchanges and optimized the development lifecycle, leading to a more efficient and error-resistant environment.