Should You Split That Into Microservices? Ask These 5 Questions First

This article provides a practical framework for software engineers and architects considering a move from a monolithic architecture to microservices. It emphasizes that microservices exchange local complexity for distributed complexity, and that splitting should be driven by measurable needs, not hypothetical future requirements. The five questions cover scaling needs, team organizational friction, data boundary feasibility, operational maturity, and deployment independence. The author shares insights from real-world experiences, noting that many teams regret premature splits. The article is technical, focused on software architecture best practices, and does not contain promotional content beyond standard newsletter sponsorship mentions.