Service Oriented Architecture Field Guide for Executives

9.4. APPLYING THE SELECTIVE SOA METHODOLOGY

To see the methodology in action, we will take a look at our two case studies. Upon examination of the Return Handling and Expense Approval case studies, it is apparent that a particular element of their respective enterprises has been selected for service orientation. As such, the only real application of the methodology is a reverse-look at these cases in an attempt to validate the decision to adopt SOA. We will start with the mail-order company's Return Handling case and then proceed to explore the training company's Expense Approval case.

Applying Selective SOA to Our Mail-Order Company Case

Performing the three analyses for our mail-order company, MO1, provides some important insights:

• Bottom-up analysis. The affected systems and necessary technology sets already exist and are ripe for service orientation. Existing staff and skillsets can be leveraged in this initiative.

• Top-down analysis. The return-handling process will continue to be viable in the future state of the enterprise. The changes that must be made to existing skills and resources in order to service orient this process are consistent with the company's long-term vision.

• Value-based analysis. The return-handling process does, in fact, have a material impact on company profitability as well as both real and perceived customer value.

Clearly, service orientation of MO1's return-handling process meets all three of our Selective SOA criteria:

1. Leverages existing assets and ...