Micro frontends: where monolithic frontend meets backend microservice architecture

In technology, the concept of a monolith runs the gamut — from application monoliths (single large application with many dependencies); database-driven monoliths (multiple applications or services coupled to the same database, challenging to change); monolithic builds (a continuous integration build for the purpose of getting a new version of any component); monolithic releases (bundled components); and several others.

Organizations can increase their capability by dividing old monolithic systems into manageable chunks according to business requirements for safer, more expedient changes — ergo, backend microservice architecture.

In addition to the issue of poorly planned decoupled systems where the decoupling had not taken into account how the process affects teams (and not merely technology), there also needs to be a focus on how backend microservices impact complex frontends.

Micro frontends: the frontend microservice

A micro-frontend solution is what happens when your newly decoupled backend is now weighed down inconsistently with your business services because of a monolithic frontend (in one app). So, the idea is quite similar to building backend microservices, but it’s about modifying it for client-side development.

A micro frontend mirrors the backend microservice by business domain enabling the frontend to have more concurrent systems for testing, speed and systems in the mind of how the new backend architecture is imagined. The benefits of a newly structured micro frontend may serve your needs.

Benefits of micro frontends

• You can segment out the process, which does not need to be all at once.
• Changes are easily reverted.
• Development efficiency increases.
• Frontend testing can be more specific to better suit your needs.
• You can feel free to experiment with new tech in different business services.

When is this solution best for you?

If you have a team problem: If your teams need to separate for the business services cycle, then they are weighed down by a frontend monolith, which denies them the ability to deploy their unit work separate from the built-in single release.

If you have a scale problem: Micro frontends best serve an organization where the frontend monolith has made it impossible for a team to provide accessible solutions because it’s just grown like a weed that is now cumbersome and confusing.

If you lack flexibility: There are always new systems, tech, apps and processes that could very well influence growth in your organization or product. Micro frontends allow your team to experiment without dragging the entire system down — or, for that matter, deny experimentation because a unified business cycle won’t allow more flexibility.