> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://comunity.gitbook.io/learning.comunitynexus/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://comunity.gitbook.io/learning.comunitynexus/readme/platform-engineering-approach.md).

# Platform Engineering Approach

Modern software delivery seeks to accelerate application development and enhance the rate at which organisations generate business value. This is supported by reusable tools, self-service capabilities, and automated infrastructure operations, all of which improve productivity and reduce the effort associated with routine technical tasks.

Although CI/CD is effective for simple workflows, tasks such as managing configurations, adding dependencies, rolling back changes, debugging, creating new environments, and modifying resources can become increasingly complex and time-consuming. Platform engineering offers a structured approach to addressing these challenges by integrating such tasks into a more standardised and efficient delivery process.

### ComUnity Core and Processes

ComUnity is built around a data-centric core that connects external stakeholder experiences with internal systems and processes.

![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/hl0CNNeOewHHHSlrxmiR/blobs/CRJsFCZSNIXosF7o3RSC/wheel_of_comunity.jpg)

### The ComUnity Platform Engineering Model

The ComUnity model comprises three layers.

![The ComUnity Approach to Platform Engineering](https://content.gitbook.com/content/hl0CNNeOewHHHSlrxmiR/blobs/2GzLAWy8aIQJW6ALn8cb/disk_of_comunity.png)

The Cloud Infrastructure Layer provides the underlying cloud infrastructure and services needed to build, deploy and run the higher layers of digital products and services.

Large and complex organisations often assemble their own platform-engineering teams to build this foundation from scratch. ComUnity provides these platform-engineering capabilities out of the box, so teams do not rebuild the foundation for every project. The capabilities ComUnity provides include:

* Base Platform Architecture and Core: the digital foundation for an internal digital platform.
* Reusable Components: the digital building blocks for an internal digital platform.
* Platform Developer Toolkit: the developer tools and SDKs for building on the platform.
* Internal Developer Portal: the self-service entry point for discovering and using platform capabilities.

Digital Service Delivery Teams are the multidisciplinary, compact, co-located and empowered teams that build real, value-adding services and applications on top of a ComUnity platform instance, by leveraging the capabilities of the layers beneath them.

### ComUnity Provides a Paved Road

Platforms built this way provide a paved road. Instead of the complex processes and standards of traditional development, implementation and maintenance, teams get optimised, pre-defined processes, tools and languages, based on accepted best practice.

![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/hl0CNNeOewHHHSlrxmiR/blobs/0EeJqUn2wAJk5Y3ymaKK/https___content.gitbook.com_content_4qoenWmth4wZNXJmDDGY_blobs_wcndvh5fHz8GGTZt1u0z_paved_rod_of_comunity.avif)