Challenge
Just like many tech leaders striving for environmental and economic prosperity, our client — a large carbon credit developer specializing in carbon offset trading to reduce emissions — faced a challenge: how can we scale a technology platform while undergoing significant growth and business changes?
Our client offers a software platform for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions. However, the platform’s software, originally built using Ruby on Rails, had become a maintenance liability. Given the scarcity of available Rails developers, they were facing difficulties in scaling and evolving their system. The solution? Migrate the platform to Python/Django with a React frontend.
Choosing a collaborative partner was important to our client. We were selected to help with the migration for both our deep expertise in Python and our ability to act as strategic advisors.
Implementation Details
At Six Feet Up, we favor solutions that can scale and adapt to change. We initiated the project by leveraging Docker containers for efficient local development, enabling our client to use similar for deployment as well. The existing PostgreSQL database from the Rails project was retained, ensuring seamless data transition.
Initially, we planned to translate Rails code to Python/Django directly. However, with the client's decision to switch to a React frontend, we revisited our strategy. Instead of rigid code translation, we adopted a User Stories-driven approach that prioritized business objectives. This shift allowed us to zero in on end-user needs, ensuring the resulting application was both functional and aligned with user expectations.
The project unfolded in two key phases:
- Phase 1: Six Feet Up spearheaded the development, understanding the business requirements and constructing business-first User Stories that set the project's direction. Specifically, our team:
- implemented pre-commit and CI workflows for testing, linting and typechecking;
- developed the backend using REST API and enhanced Django's best practices for API design, including conducting a deep-dive into the pros and cons of REST vs. GraphQL;
- created a modern web app using React, TypeScript, Vite, React Router DOM, Material UI, Recharts;
- used Vitest, Jest and Mock Service Worker (MSW) to create tests;
- completed extensive testing on both the backend and frontend.
- Phase 2: As the client's Rails developers started assimilating into the new system, we shifted towards a more advisory position, providing mentorship and conducting code reviews.
The pivot to a User Stories approach, which afforded a clearer understanding of the business needs, was a significant milestone for our team and the overall success of the project. While challenges — including deployment restrictions due to a recent acquisition — occurred, we worked collaboratively with our client to deliver a modern web app that meets their goals.
Results
The end result is a scalable, efficient system equipped to meet the company’s immediate needs and future challenges. This isn't merely a technical success. The updated platform will help the company achieve a broader mission of globally reducing carbon footprints and promoting environmental sustainability. Additionally, the rearchitected solution makes developer onboarding easier, setting the stage for our client's continued growth.
The positive feedback we’ve received from our client speaks volumes about our successful partnership and collaboration. As maintenance for the platform is needed, Six Feet Up will continue to embrace its dual role as both mentors and developers — guiding the client's team through Python/Django and React and ensuring a richer skill set for all.
