MyGov rearchitecture explained

Recently, Government Services Minister Bill Shorten hinted that a myGov re-architecture was on the cards according to iTnews. The re-architecture follows a myGov audit where an expert panel undertook extensive consultation with myGov users, peak bodies and key stakeholders across government.

Essentially the panel stressed the importance of a long-term commitment to myGov as a critical digital infrastructure given Australians are conducting up to 1.4 million sessions in myGov each day – more than triple what it was 3 years ago.Investment in future developments seems to have landed on a re-architecture as Minister Shorten mentioned, but what does that mean?

Re-architecture meaning

In software, architecture is defined as the overall design of a system and the logical interrelationships between its components. The software architecture of a system represents the design decisions related to overall system structure and behaviour. The state of your architecture either limits or supports growth. 

So, re-architecting means changing your software’s structure for the better without affecting the externally visible functionality. This may be part of a legacy modernisation or to tailor a solution to better meet the needs of its users. 

In the context of myGov, this would mean, as the panel stated in myGov to transform as Australia grows that “future development of myGov needs to have a user focus – it must be easy to use, secure, leave no one behind and deliver smart, tailored services that meets people’s needs”. 

How do software developers re-architecture? 

A thorough assessment is key to ensuring the success of a re-architecture project. At the very beginning of any re-architecture, it is critical to evaluate the applications. Analysing existing applications is almost always one of the most obvious ways to start any kind of transformation of this kind. 

Re-architecting applications also involve change where an old monolithic application is completely revamped according to modern microservices architecture. This might mean retiring old tech and adopting modern tech, rehosting data and possibly replacing proprietary plugins and tools with industry-standard and open-source ones. 

What does a re-architecture mean for myGov?

A re-architecture is not an easy decision – which is why the government brought a whole panel in to help make the decision and recommendations. A successful modernisation could catapult myGov to be well-positioned for the future, but a fail could lead to a PR disaster, as if the government doesn’t have enough of those, ehem, Myki. Therefore, the decision to re-architect must have clear goals, a 'do whatever it takes' attitude and must win clear sponsorship and support wiht its stakeholders.

myGov was first launched in 2019, while it’s undergone many iterations, 4 years on in digital infrastructure years, is like a 250,000km on a car – it might be passing its service tests but most cars don’t last page the 350Km mark. For such a critical service, a modernisation and a re-architecture is smart way forward.  

Want to learn more about re-architecture and modernising your services? Contact us to discuss the possibilities.