[IDEA] Microservices Architecture with Microfrontends for Modular Platform

[alayasan]

original message: https://discord.com/channels/1415670958710325270/1418545793400311941/1420947254264729671

Overview

This proposal outlines an architectural approach for building BetterGov's suite of government transparency tools, utilizing a microservices backend architecture combined with microfrontends where appropriate. The goal is to create independent, scalable projects that can operate standalone while seamlessly integrating into a unified ecosystem.

Background & Inspiration

Drawing from experience in fintech and stock broker platforms, this architecture mirrors successful implementations where:

• Multiple independent applications can be composed into customizable dashboards
• Inter-application communication follows standardized protocols (similar to FDC3 for financial services)
• Users can personalize their experience by selecting relevant modules
• Development teams can work independently while contributing to a cohesive platform

Architectural Vision

Core Principles

• Modularity: Each government service/tool operates as an independent microservice
• Interoperability: Standardized communication protocols between services
• Scalability: Individual components can be scaled based on demand
• Developer Independence: Teams can develop, deploy, and maintain services autonomously
• User-Centric: Composable interfaces that citizens and government workers can customize

Proposed Architecture

Backend: Microservices

• Service Independence: Each government function (e.g., permits, taxes, benefits, transparency reports) is a separate microservice
• API Gateway: Centralized entry point for routing, authentication, and rate limiting
• Service Discovery: Dynamic service registration and discovery
• Event-Driven Communication: Asynchronous messaging between services using message queues
• Standardized APIs: RESTful APIs with OpenAPI specifications, GraphQL federation where beneficial

Frontend: Selective Microfrontends

• Standalone Applications: Each service maintains its own complete web application
• Microfrontend Integration: Complex dashboards use microfrontend architecture for:
  • Administrative dashboards
  • Citizen portals with multiple services
  • Analytics and reporting interfaces
• Shared Design System: Common component library and design tokens

Challenges & Mitigation

Technical Challenges

• Complexity Management: Comprehensive documentation and service catalog
• Performance Optimization: Careful bundle management and lazy loading
• Data Consistency: Event sourcing and eventual consistency patterns
• Security: Zero-trust architecture with service-to-service authentication

Organizational Challenges

• Coordination: Regular architecture reviews and API governance
• Standards Compliance: Automated testing for design system adherence
• Knowledge Sharing: Cross-team documentation and knowledge sessions

[niculistana]

Hello po salamat sa pag sulat nito. I think this is a rough outline. Need more details on the value of having a host-app and a child-app which is the core foundation of microfrontends.