As organizations navigate a rapidly evolving technology landscape, the shift toward composable architectures is becoming a critical factor for success. In a recent webinar, Jakob Freund, CEO of Camunda, along with guest speakers Paul Vincent (former Gartner Analyst) and Lars Tandrup (EY), explored the rise of composability and its role in transforming process orchestration and automation.
The shift to composable architecture
Composable architecture has emerged as an alternative to monolithic platforms, offering a flexible and modular approach to building adaptable, best-of-breed ecosystems. Paul Vincent traced the origins of this concept to 2019, when Gartner analysts observed a convergence of trends, including the widespread adoption of software as a service (SaaS), API-driven development, and microservices-based architectures. This shift enables organizations to compose applications dynamically, leading to greater agility and efficiency.
According to Vincent, one of the core components of composable architecture is orchestration, which ensures seamless integration of modular services and business functions. Organizations leveraging this approach can rapidly innovate while maintaining scalability and reusability.
Balancing speed with sustainability
One of the key challenges discussed during the webinar was the balance between speed and long-term sustainability. Lars Tandrup emphasized that while low-code and no-code platforms promise rapid application development, they can lead to technical debt if not designed with modularity in mind.
“The speed in development doesn’t come from cutting corners—it comes from well-structured modularity,” said Tandrup. He stressed the importance of upfront design, defining reusable components, and adopting an enterprise-wide approach to process orchestration.
Jakob Freund echoed this sentiment, highlighting that composable process automation allows organizations to integrate quickly built solutions into a robust framework without compromising long-term flexibility. This approach ensures that even AI-generated applications or low-code solutions remain scalable and maintainable.
AI’s role in process orchestration
The discussion also touched on the impact of generative AI (GenAI) on composable architectures. While AI-powered tools can accelerate development, they also introduce new challenges related to governance, compliance, and maintainability.
Vincent noted that AI should be seen as a tool to enhance, rather than replace, structured approaches like BPMN and DMN. “We may use AI to assist in building applications, generating test suites, and automating repetitive tasks, but strategic orchestration still requires human oversight,” he explained.
Enterprise architects: the key to success
A central theme throughout the webinar was the role of enterprise architects in driving composability. According to the panelists, enterprise architects must:
- Maintain a catalog of reusable APIs and services
- Define governance frameworks for modular development
- Ensure cross-functional collaboration between business and IT teams
- Promote best practices for process orchestration and automation
By investing in a structured approach to modular design, organizations can unlock the full potential of composable architecture while avoiding the pitfalls of fragmented automation.
Final thoughts: building for the future
As organizations continue to embrace digital transformation, the adoption of composable process automation will play a crucial role in ensuring agility, scalability, and innovation.
Learn more and catch our on-demand webinar! Get insight into how to build a future-ready technology stack that balances speed with sustainable innovation. If you’re ready to explore the benefits of composable process orchestration, connect with Camunda today.
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