The default is not wrong
Off-the-shelf tools are fastest early. The mistake is assuming they will stretch forever without tax.
Signals you are outgrowing templates
You are patching workflows weekly. Integrations multiply. Data lives in five places. Customers need a capability your stack cannot model cleanly.
How to invest without gambling
Scope a thin vertical slice: one workflow, one measurable outcome, one release path. Prove maintainability before you commit to a multi-year roadmap.
What “scale” really asks for
Operability: backups, roles, audit trails, and performance budgets. If you cannot operate it, you cannot scale it.