Complex systems become manageable when integration patterns are explicit and discoverable.

Data Contracts

Define schemas and APIs as contracts between services. Version contracts carefully and document breaking changes. Use schema registries to track contract evolution.

Event Catalogs

Maintain a catalog of all events and their producers/consumers. Document event schemas, retention policies, and SLAs. This catalog becomes your integration source of truth.

Versioning

Implement backward-compatible versioning strategies. Support multiple API versions during transitions. Deprecate old versions gracefully with clear timelines.

Breaking-Change Policy

Establish policy for introducing breaking changes. Require notification periods, migration guides, and support windows. Make changes that break contracts expensive for producers.