Governance in Micro Frontends

1. Introduction

The governance in micro frontends refers to the guidelines, policies, and structures that regulate how individual frontend applications (micro frontends) are developed, deployed, and maintained. Proper governance ensures that these micro frontends function cohesively as part of a larger application ecosystem.

2. Key Concepts

2.1 Micro Frontends

Micro frontends are an architectural style where a frontend application is decomposed into smaller, independently deployable units. Each unit is responsible for a specific feature or functionality.

2.2 Governance

Governance encompasses the processes and structures that help teams make decisions, particularly in areas like technology choices, design standards, and deployment strategies.

3. Governance Structure

3.1 Centralized vs. Decentralized Governance

Understanding the balance between centralized and decentralized governance is crucial:

Centralized Governance: Decisions are made by a central authority, ensuring uniform adherence to standards.
Decentralized Governance: Individual teams make decisions, promoting agility and innovation.

3.2 Establishing a Governance Framework

A governance framework should include:

Define roles and responsibilities
Establish coding standards and best practices
Implement CI/CD processes
Define performance metrics and monitoring strategies

4. Best Practices

4.1 Communication and Collaboration

Encourage regular communication among teams to align on goals, share challenges, and celebrate successes.

4.2 Documentation

Maintain comprehensive documentation for all micro frontends, including architecture, dependencies, and deployment instructions.

4.3 Continuous Improvement

Regularly review and refine governance policies and practices based on team feedback and technological advancements.

5. FAQ

What is the main goal of governance in micro frontends?

The main goal is to ensure that micro frontends work together seamlessly while allowing teams the flexibility to innovate and make independent decisions.

How often should governance policies be reviewed?

Governance policies should be reviewed at least annually, or more frequently if significant changes occur in technology or team structures.

Can governance be fully decentralized?

While decentralization can promote agility, some level of centralized oversight is typically necessary to maintain coherence across the application.

6. Flowchart of Governance Process


          graph TD;
              A[Start] --> B{Is team aligned on goals?};
              B -- Yes --> C[Continue Development];
              B -- No --> D[Conduct Alignment Meeting];
              D --> B;
              C --> E{Is the feature ready for deployment?};
              E -- Yes --> F[Deploy to Staging];
              F --> G{Is it successful?};
              G -- Yes --> H[Deploy to Production];
              G -- No --> I[Rollback Changes];
              I --> C;