Assessment 1 Microservices Case Study PART A and B (MIS603 Assessment 1)

MIS603_Assessment_1_Microservices_Case_Study_PART A & B

Course: MIS603 Microservices Architecture

Assessment 1 Microservices Case Study Part A

Task Summary

For this assessment, you are required to write an individual report of 1000 words (+/- 10%) on the key principles and concepts of microservices architecture and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of adopting microservices architecture for businesses in general. This assessment is intended to build your fundamental understanding of these key concepts to enable you to respond to a case study as presented in Assessment 1 Part B. In doing so, it will formatively develop the knowledge required for you to apply to the case presented in Part B.

Context

Microservices architecture has emerged as an evolution of software development patterns and techniques. Previous software development techniques for self-contained monolithic applications and service-oriented architecture have been longstanding. More recently, with the development of cloud computing, new ways of software development have evolved with microservices architecture recognised as a cloud-native software development approach.

As a professional, your role will require that you understand the principles of software development, especially in the field of cloud-based platforms, which are rapidly becoming the preferred hosting solution for many organisations. Having a working understanding of these concepts will enable you to fulfil many roles and functions, and be informed as to what factors influence decision making when software development architecture has been selected. Whilst you may not be a developer, it will enable you to have meaningful conversations about the principles of microservices architecture and why certain decisions may be made in a certain way. This will support you to manage the bridge between IT and the business.

Task Instructions

1. Write a 1000-word report to demonstrate your understanding of the theoretical concepts of microservices architecture in two specific areas:

a. What are the key principles and concepts of microservices architecture?

b. What are the advantages and disadvantages of microservices architecture? 

Please note that this is intended to allow you to develop a strong theoretical understanding, which you will then apply to a specific case shared with you in Part B of this assessment. The aim is to allow you to progressively develop a foundational knowledge of the topic, which you will then extend by demonstrating how your knowledge can be applied in the case context.

2. Whilst most of the material to support your development of knowledge for this assessment can be found in the Essential Resources listed in the module content, you are encouraged to do further research in this topic area to broaden your knowledge. 

Perform additional research in the area of investigation and select five additional sources that will add value to your report in the relevant area of investigation.

3. The report should consist of the following structure:

A title page with subject code and name, assignment title, student’s name, student number, and lecturer’s name.

The introduction (75–100 words) that will also serve as your statement of purpose for the report—this means that you will tell the reader what you are going to cover in your report.

You will need to inform the reader of:

a. Your area of research and its context

b. The key concepts you will be addressing

c. What the reader can expect to find in the body of the report

The body of the report (800–850 words) will need to cover two specific areas:

a. What are the key principles and concepts of microservices architecture? Please use a paragraph to cluster similar concepts and principles together in structuring your report.

b. What are the advantages and disadvantages of microservices architecture? A comparative table followed by a brief explanation is required in this section.

The conclusion (75–100 words) will summarise any findings or recommendations that the report puts forward regarding the concepts covered in the report.

4. Format of the report

The report should use font Arial or Calibri 11 point, be line spaced at 1.5 for ease of reading, and have page numbers on the bottom of each page. If diagrams or tables are used, due attention should be given to pagination to avoid loss of meaning and continuity by unnecessarily splitting information over two pages. Diagrams must carry the appropriate captioning.

5. Referencing

There are requirements for referencing this report using APA referencing style. It is expected that you reference any lecture notes used and five additional sources in the relevant subject area based on readings and further research.

It is essential that you use the appropriate APA style for citing and referencing research.

6. You are strongly advised to read the rubric, which is an evaluation guide with criteria for grading the assignment—this will give you a clear picture of what a successful report looks like.

Submit Assessment 1 Part A via the Assessment in the main navigation menu in MIS603 Microservices Architecture.

MIS 603 Assessment Microservices Case Study - Part B

Task Summary

You are required to research and write a 2500-word individual report in response to a case scenario. This assessment offers you an opportunity to apply the knowledge you gained about microservices architecture in Part A. You are required to use the case as context to write a report for both business and IT stakeholders explaining the advantages and disadvantages of microservices architecture and the benefits it can offer an organisation. You will need to demonstrate your ability to identify business priorities and relate relevant advantages to complex business needs through the strategy you recommend.

Context

This assessment gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of microservices architecture and your capability to explain complex technology concepts in terms that a non-IT business leader can understand. This prepares you professionally for several roles that ‘build a bridge’ between IT and business leaders.

Task Instructions

1. Carefully read the attached Assessment 1 Part B Case Scenario to understand the concepts being discussed in the case.

2. Review your subject notes to establish the relevant area of investigation that applies to the  case. Re-read any relevant readings that have been recommended in the case area in modules. Perform additional research in the area of investigation and select 10 additional sources that will add value to your report in the relevant area of investigation.

3. Plan how you will structure your ideas for your report and write a report plan before you start writing.

4. The report should consist of the following structure:

 A title page with subject code and name, assignment title, student’s name, student number, and lecturer’s name.

The introduction (250–300 words) that will also serve as your statement of purpose for the report—this means that you will tell the reader what you are going to cover in your report.

You will need to inform the reader of:

a. Your area of research and its context

b. The key concepts you will be addressing

c. What the reader can expect to find in the body of the report

The body of the report (1900–2000 words) will need to respond to the specific requirements of the case study. It is advised that you use questions posed in the case study to assist you in structuring the report by means of subheadings in the body of the report.

The conclusion (250–300 words) will summarise any findings or recommendations that the report puts forward regarding the concepts covered in the report.

5. Format of the report

The report should use font Arial or Calibri 11 point, be line spaced at 1.5 for ease of reading, and have page numbers on the bottom of each page. If diagrams or tables are used, due  attention should be given to pagination to avoid loss of meaning and continuity by unnecessarily splitting information over two pages. Diagrams must carry the appropriate captioning.

6. Referencing

There are requirements for referencing this report using APA referencing style. It is expected that you reference any lecture notes used and 10 additional sources in the relevant subject area based on readings and further research.

7. You are strongly advised to read the rubric, which is an evaluation guide with criteria for grading the assignment—this will give you a clear picture of what a successful report looks like.

Submission Instructions

Submit Assessment 1 Part B via the Assessment in the main navigation menu in MIS603 Microservices Architecture.

Case Scenario

Greer John Wealth Management Pty Ltd is a mature company with a strong base of investment customers who trust it with their investment portfolios. Its core platform for managing its customer’s accounts and investments was built in the early 2000s and was cutting edge at the time. This monolithic platform has served both the business and customer needs well. However, changing times mean that cloud-based solutions offer it greater flexibility and agility. 

Several factors have arisen that have made it clear to the executive leadership team that it needs to review its technology strategy:

1. Many competitors are evolving their digital platforms to better meet market expectations.

2. Regulatory reform in the area of wealth management is likely to require waves of change to various wealth management products managed by Greer John.

The executive leadership team understands it needs to seek out new ways of meeting its customers’ needs. It is investigating a digital strategy that will allow it to steadily and incrementally transition from its old platform into a cloud-enabled solution that will be nimble and agile in responding to its customers’ digital needs. 

A team of consultants has been tasked with building a suite of reports as concept briefs to address the different areas of change so that all stakeholders understand what new solutions will require.

As the microservices architecture specialist in the team, you have been tasked with writing a report about the microservices architecture component of the shift to the cloud. This is to help key stakeholders of the executive leadership team be informed what the change will mean for them.

1. Outline what you believe the specific benefits will be to Greer John Wealth Management in transitioning from monolithic architecture to microservices architecture.

2. Discuss key elements of service design:

a. What will need to be considered when splitting the monolithic systems into future microservices?

b. What benefits can be gained from service modelling?

3. Define what DevOps is and what the typical build and test process would require for Greer John Wealth Management to implement DevOps.