Migrating from Camunda 7 to Camunda 8 – Real Challenges (What Teams Don’t Expect)

Migrating from Camunda 7 to Camunda 8 is not a simple upgrade.

It is a platform migration that impacts architecture, development approach, deployment, and operations.

Many teams underestimate this transition and face unexpected production risks.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the real challenges enterprises face when moving from Camunda 7 to Camunda 8 — based on practical project experience, not just documentation.

1️⃣ Camunda 7 vs Camunda 8: Not the Same Platform

Camunda 7

  • Monolithic BPM engine

  • Database-centric execution

  • Java Delegates & External Tasks

  • Tight coupling with application code

Camunda 8

  • Distributed, event-driven architecture

  • Zeebe broker + gateway

  • Job Workers instead of Java Delegates

  • Kubernetes-first platform

👉 Reality check:
This is not a version upgrade.
It’s a re-architecture.

2️⃣ BPMN Compatibility Is Not 100%

Although both platforms support BPMN 2.0, execution behavior differs.

Common BPMN migration issues:

  • Execution listeners are not supported

  • Script tasks behave differently

  • Transaction boundaries change

  • Error handling logic needs redesign

  • Some BPMN patterns work differently in Zeebe

⚠️ BPMN models that work perfectly in Camunda 7 may fail or behave unexpectedly in Camunda 8.

3️⃣ Java Delegates → Job Workers (Major Rewrite)

In Camunda 7:

public class MyDelegate implements JavaDelegate {
   public void execute(DelegateExecution execution) {
      // business logic
   }
}

In Camunda 8:

  • No Java Delegates

  • Logic runs in external Job Workers

  • Communication via gRPC / REST

  • Fully async execution

👉 Impact:

  • Existing code must be rewritten

  • Transaction handling must be rethought

  • Error and retry logic changes completely

This is one of the biggest hidden costs of migration.

4️⃣ Database & History Model Changes

Camunda 7:

  • Full access to runtime & history tables

  • SQL queries used for reporting

  • Direct DB troubleshooting possible

Camunda 8:

  • No direct database access

  • History stored differently

  • Reporting depends heavily on Optimize

  • Debugging requires Operate + logs

👉 Teams relying on custom SQL reports face serious rework.

5️⃣ DevOps & Kubernetes Complexity

Camunda 8 is Kubernetes-native.

New operational challenges:

  • Zeebe brokers scaling

  • Partition replication

  • Backpressure handling

  • Resource tuning (CPU / memory)

  • Monitoring distributed components

⚠️ Teams without strong DevOps or Kubernetes experience struggle in production.

Camunda 7 could run on a VM.
Camunda 8 cannot be treated like that.

6️⃣ Migration Strategy: Big Bang vs Hybrid

❌ Big Bang Migration (High Risk)

  • Stop Camunda 7

  • Move everything to Camunda 8

  • Rewrite all processes

Risk: Downtime + business impact

✅ Recommended Hybrid Approach

  • Keep Camunda 7 for running processes

  • Start new workflows in Camunda 8

  • Gradually migrate selected processes

  • Maintain both platforms temporarily

This reduces risk and business disruption.

7️⃣ Cost & Licensing Reality

Camunda 8 introduces:

  • Higher infrastructure cost

  • Increased operational effort

  • Commercial features tied to licensing

Many teams migrate without evaluating ROI.

👉 Migration should be business-driven, not hype-driven.

8️⃣ When You SHOULD Migrate to Camunda 8

✅ High-volume, event-driven workflows
✅ Cloud-native, Kubernetes-first architecture
✅ Greenfield projects
✅ Need for massive scalability

9️⃣ When You SHOULD NOT Migrate (Yet)

❌ Stable Camunda 7 production systems
❌ Heavy use of Java Delegates
❌ Limited DevOps capability
❌ Low workflow volume

In many cases, Camunda 7 is still the right choice.

🔑 Key Takeaway

Migrating from Camunda 7 to Camunda 8 is not mandatory, not urgent, and not simple.

A successful migration requires:

  • BPMN redesign

  • Code rewrite

  • DevOps readiness

  • Careful cost analysis

  • Phased migration strategy

💼 Professional Support Available

If you are:

  • Planning a Camunda 7 → Camunda 8 migration

  • Facing unexpected production issues

  • Unsure whether migration even makes sense

I provide paid consulting, migration assessment, and production troubleshooting for Camunda platforms.

📧 Contact: ishikhanirankari@gmail.com | info@realtechnologiesindia.com

🌐 Website: IT Trainings | Digital metal podium 



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