Orchestration

Intro

Orchestration is the automated arrangement, coordination, execution, and management of complex applications, systems, and services. In EA, it ensures end‑to‑end processes run reliably across components.

Key points:

• Coordinates tasks, data, and dependencies.
• Improves scalability and reduces manual effort.
• Common use cases across EA/BPM/Data/App/Tech include workflow automation, microservices coordination, and data pipeline control.
• Pitfall: hard‑coding logic across systems instead of centralizing orchestration.

Examples:

• Order orchestration across CRM, ERP, and warehouse systems.
• Microservices choreography overseen by an orchestrator.
• Automated release workflows coordinating build, test, and deploy.

In practice:

Use an orchestration layer to manage cross‑system flows, retries, and error handling.

Related terms: Orchestration Engine; Workflow; Integration Architecture

FAQs:

Q: Orchestration vs. choreography?
A: Orchestration is centrally controlled; choreography is decentralized.

Q: Do I need BPMN to orchestrate?
A: Not required, but BPMN helps model and govern flows.

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