Pursuing SOA In Hard Times

Big bang approaches to service-oriented architecture (SOA) are hard to justify at any time but near impossible to justify in hard times. Instead, you must tie SOA progress directly to current-day solution delivery projects. This presents a big risk: Tactical approaches necessary in hard times can cut off progress toward long-term SOA goals. The good news is that the SOA disciplines that are best in good times also help you sustain momentum for SOA in hard times. A street-level strategy for SOA integrates short-term deliverables with governance toward long-term architectural objectives. It's the right way to pursue SOA in good times; and in hard times, it allows you to tilt the scale toward a shorter-term focus without abandoning long-term SOA goals.