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Phase 0 Readout

Architecture discovery synthesis and decision-readiness summary. This document consolidates findings, convictions, and recommendations for steering committee review.

Under reviewUpdated 17 Mar 2026

Why this matters

This is the single document that determines whether Phase 1 mobilisation proceeds. It synthesises six weeks of architecture discovery into actionable recommendations.

What this informs

Steering committee funding decision, Phase 1 scope definition, vendor selection mandate, and the governance framework for transformation execution.

What remains unresolved

Three open decisions require steering committee input. Cost estimation blocked pending scenario lock. China regulatory timeline carries uncertainty.

Deliverables

0/9 confirmed

Avg Progress

37%

Open Decisions

3

Top Risks

3

Recommended Path

SCN-A

What We Learned

Current-state complexity exceeds initial assumptions

Eight systems across six domains with undocumented dependencies. Three legacy systems have no API layer.

Integration brittleness is the primary technical risk

MuleSoft hub routes all dealer-to-backend communication. Tight coupling between Dealer Portal and SAP/Siebel creates cascade failure risk.

Legacy coupling limits pace of change

Siebel and Sitecore are intertwined with SAP at the data layer. No abstraction boundary exists.

Data ownership is undefined across domains

No canonical data model exists. Analytics pull from multiple uncoordinated sources with varying freshness.

China requires a distinct architecture track

PIPL compliance, ICP licensing, and GFW constraints make a configuration-overlay approach untenable.

Transformation is feasible but sequencing is critical

The composable approach is technically sound but requires disciplined phasing. Facade-first migration reduces risk.

What We Now Believe

Architecture Convictions

A composable, domain-driven architecture is the right structural foundation.

Vendor independence, regional flexibility, and pace-layered evolution outweigh the higher initial integration complexity.

Migration must be incremental — facade-first, domain-by-domain.

Big-bang replacement carries unacceptable operational risk. The strangler-fig pattern with API facades allows validation at each stage.

Observability is a precondition, not a follow-on.

A distributed architecture without comprehensive monitoring will be operationally fragile. Logging, tracing, and metrics must be present from day one.

Organisational alignment is as important as technical architecture.

Domain-driven boundaries require domain ownership. Dealer adoption requires field engagement. Both are organisational challenges.

Recommended Direction

Recommended Pathway

SCN-AComposable Best-of-Breed

Assemble from purpose-fit components

Under review

Replace legacy systems with a composable architecture using best-of-breed services for each domain. Headless CMS, independent service APIs, unified experience layer. Maximum flexibility, highest integration complexity.

Why this is the right path now

No vendor lock-in — swap any component independently

Pace-layered evolution — each domain moves at its own speed

Best capability per domain — not constrained by platform limits

What it optimises for

Long-term vendor independence and flexibility

Regional architecture divergence without debt

Pace-layered domain evolution

Tradeoffs accepted

Highest initial integration complexity

Requires strong API governance and contract management

More vendor relationships to manage

Effort: HighRisk: MediumTimeframe: 18–24 months
Decisions Required Now

These decisions are open or under review and must be resolved before Phase 1 scope can be finalised.

ADR-003Evaluate composable DXP over monolithic replacement
StrategyUnder review
ADR-004China architecture as parallel track, not afterthought
AnnexDecision needed
ADR-006Retain SAP as system of record for parts and warranty
AssessmentUnder review
What Phase 1 Depends On

Required validations

Current-state architecture map validated with all domain stakeholders

Capability maturity scores confirmed by domain owners

Scenario A integration complexity assessed via proof-of-concept

Unresolved dependencies

SAP upgrade roadmap confirmation from enterprise team

China CAC security assessment timeline (45–60 day lead time)

Enterprise architect availability for deviation review

Organisational alignment needs

Domain ownership mapped to reporting structure

Dealer network engagement model defined for Phase 1

Executive sponsorship confirmed for domain boundary changes

Architecture inputs still needed

Facade layer specification and technology selection

Observability stack decision (OpenTelemetry evaluation)

Cross-border data flow model for China operations

Confidence & Risk Summary

Overall Confidence

Medium-High

Discovery has established a credible evidence base. Confidence is contingent on scenario selection and three open decisions being resolved within the next two weeks.

Known Unknowns

China CAC assessment duration and outcome

SAP upgrade timeline and backward compatibility

Dealer network appetite for interface change

Top Risks

RSK-001Legacy integration brittleness during migration
20

Facade layer isolates new components. Incremental migration with rollback capability at each stage. Integration test suite before each cutover.

RSK-007Dealer network adoption lag for new service interfaces
16

Progressive rollout by region. Dealer feedback loop built into Phase 1. Training programme. Dual-interface period during transition.

RSK-002Data sovereignty non-compliance in China operations
15

Parallel China architecture track. Independent data storage. Legal review of all cross-border data flows. ICP licensing ahead of deployment.

Mitigation Posture

All critical risks have identified mitigations. Two require decisions before mitigations can be activated.

Linked Outputs

Close-out Statement

This phase has established a factual architecture baseline, evaluated future-state pathways, and created the decision conditions for mobilisation.

The discovery outputs are ready for steering committee review. Three architecture decisions require resolution before Phase 1 scope can be finalised. The recommended pathway — composable best-of-breed with strangler-fig migration — is supported by the evidence base documented across all nine deliverables.

Recommended Action

Schedule steering committee session to review findings, resolve open decisions, and approve Phase 1 scope.

Decision Window

Decisions required by end of April 2026 to maintain Phase 1 mobilisation timeline of May 2026.

Confidence

Medium-High. Evidence base is credible. Outstanding items are bounded and time-boxed.