SOA in the Real World “How to get SOA right the first time. David S. Linthicum

Time to Make Something Work We’ve been working with the notion of SOA for over 5 years now. We’ve proven that SOA can work, if you approach it correctly. We need to start doing, but never stop learning. They hype is officially over. Time to make something work! 2 © David S. Linthicum LLC

What worked? “We changed our leadership to change the culture to make way for new approaches, such as SOA.” “We took the time to understand the business first, then the technology.” “We focused on the architecture.” “We made some quick wins which provided creditability, and built more complex and far reaching projects around that very positive foundation.” “We created a common team across the organizations which broke down any political barriers.” “We spent a hell of a lot of money.” 3 © David S. Linthicum LLC

What went wrong? “We could not get the culture to shift to accommodate the disruptive changes we needed for SOA.” - Name withheld upon request “We put our trust into a single large vendor and our technology solution was not the right fit.” - “Do not use my name” “We service-enabled everything…now what?” - “I’m a complete idiot.” 4 © David S. Linthicum LLC

So, how do I win with SOA the first time? 1.Make sure there are advocates with budgets, at the executive level. 2.Begin with architecture, not with technology. 3.Get the talent and knowledge you need now. 4.Understand that SOA is ongoing (journey not a project). 5.Focus on understanding the business. 6.Define the ROI up front, and make sure it’s there upon delivery. 7.Follow a repeatable process (later in this presentation). 8.Build your SOA with the emerging Web in mind (WOA). 9.Define incremental successes, and make sure to get there. 10.Follow everything in this presentation. 5 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Architecture is not About the Technology It’s about what you’re building, then how you build it. It’s about understanding first, then building. 6 © David S. Linthicum LLC

SOA Challenges Source: Wipro 7 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Data Abstraction Data Data Services LegacyLegacy Services Process/Orchestration/Composites Monitoring/Event Management Governance Rep Security Internet- Based Services New Services SOA Meta Model 8

5 Things to Avoid 1.Using the wrong people. 2.Selecting the technology too early. 3.Not considering “service design.” 4.Not factoring in the business. 5.Not thinking long term, and strategic. 9 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Using the Wrong People Perhaps this is something you should not outsource. –This is architecture, not development. –This is strategic, not tactical. Existing talent may not be up to speed. –You may love your current team, but perhaps they are not up for the job. –Make the cuts now, not later. Don’t let consultants or vendors drive the project. 10 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Selecting the Technology too Early Don’t “manage by magazine.” Don’t overuse “comfort vendors.” Avoid VDA (vendor driven architecture) Business -> Requirements -> Analysis -> Technology. Now repeat! Make sure to do a POC, and other testing. Never be afraid to toss out technology. 11 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Not Considering “Service Design” Services are not applications. Services are not APIs. Services are services, and should be designed properly. –Consider granularity. –Consider repeatable design. –Consider testing. 12 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Not Factoring in the Business Always do ROI analysis before you begin work on your SOA. Understand core business processes, and what needs to improve. Understand core business drivers, and be able to sell them within the organization. Make sure business analysts have input at various stages. 13 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Not Thinking Long Term, and Strategic SOA has a positive impact after years, not months. SOA is not a development project, it’s a journey. SOA requires a systemic change in how you do architecture, it’s not just an instance of an architecture. SOA requires long term corporate commitment to be successful. 14 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Understand your business objectives and define success. ROI Define ROI Create Business Case Business Case Business Case 15 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Define your problem domain System Descriptions System Descriptions System Complexity Analysis SOA POC POC Results POC Results Domain Descriptions Domain Descriptions Vendors 16 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Understand all application semantics in your domain. SOA Metadata SOA Metadata Meta data analysis Data abstraction layer definition Data Abstraction Layer Data Abstraction Layer Data services definition Data Services Data Services Legacy Metadata Legacy Metadata External Metadata (B2B) External Metadata (B2B) 17 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Understand all services in your domain. Candidate Services Candidate Services Service analysis Metadata and services analysis Services And Information Services And Information Performance analysis Services And Performance Services And Performance Legacy Services Legacy Services External Services (B2B) External Services (B2B) SOA Metadata SOA Metadata 18 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Understand all processes in your domain. Candidate Processes Candidate Processes Process analysis. Define metadata, services, and processes Processes, Services, And Information Processes, Services, And Information Process integration analysis. Process Integration Diagrams Process Integration Diagrams Candidate Services Candidate Services External Processes (B2B) External Processes (B2B) SOA Metadata SOA Metadata 19 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Define new services. Candidate Processes Candidate Processes Service definition. Service design. Processes, Services, And Information Processes, Services, And Information Service implementation. Process Integration Diagrams Process Integration Diagrams SOA Metadata SOA Metadata Candidate Services Candidate Services Service Definition Service Definition Service Design Service Design Service Implementation Service Implementation 20 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Define new processes. Candidate Processes Candidate Processes Process definition. Process design. Processes, Services, And Information Processes, Services, And Information Process implementation. Pro ces s Inte grat ion Dia gra ms Pro ces s Inte grat ion Dia gra ms Metadata Candidate Services Candidate Services Process Definition Process Definition Process Design Process Design Process Implementation Process Implementation 21 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Select your technology set. Technology Requirements Technology Requirements Define requirements. Technology analysis. Technology solution Technology solution Vendors Define candidate technology. Technology selection. Technology validation. 22 © David S. Linthicum LLC

“SOA is Good…” Pay me now, or pay me later. Make sure you do it right the first time…get the help you need. Don’t be afraid to experiment, and admit you’re wrong…backup and try again. Keep your vendors working with you. Empower those working, so they can work to get things done. Avoid politics, if possible. Learn all you can, but don’t get caught up in the hype. Put standards in their proper place. Small battles win the war…Keep that in mind. Give yourself plenty of time, never skimp on any of the steps. 23 © David S. Linthicum LLC

Thanks! Blogs: –InfoWorld “Real World SOA” Weekly Podcast –InfoWorld SOA Report Columns –SOA Journal –SD Times –Web 2.0 Journal –eBizq.net Follow me on Twitter (DavidLinthicum) 24 © David S. Linthicum LLC