Microservice Design Space Analysis and Decision Documentation: A Case Study on API Management

Design space analysis is a method for identifying and organizing potential design options and related concepts. So far, we have used decision models for the design space analysis of various areas of microservice design. Based on the feedback we have received, we refine our approach for design space analysis and extend it to support decision documentation. To validate the refined design space analysis approach and the approach we developed for decision documentation, we conduct a case study of microservice API management together with an industry partner. We present the identified design spaces and decision models created during the design space analysis, and show how the decision models were used for decision documentation. In addition, we draw general conclusions from applying the presented approach and concepts in an industrial context.