Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 1 SOA for eGov: Credentialing and Certification Ronald Schmelzer Following the ZapThink Roadmap ZapThink, LLC

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 2 Is there an Architect in the House? The new level of discipline required by architecture –A formal approach to organizing IT resources is still a relatively new practice Just how big is the big picture? –Architects must have an enterprisewide view Where are the architects? –It’s hard to learn architecture at college – most learn on the job

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 3 Where Do You Find Enterprise Architects? Enterprise Architects (EAs) must have the big picture of the relationship between business & technology Some are more technical, some are more business-oriented, many organizations put both types together on a team Typically rise through ranks internally, because of need for intimate knowledge of business Supplement EA team with consultants, but don’t let consultants drive EA

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 4 Interaction Challenges Cultural Issues –Network Ops and Developers don’t talk to each other Budget issues –Who pays for Service Infrastructure / intermediaries? Responsibility issues –Who is in control of policy? Developer/Architect Network Operations Services blur the Application / Network Boundary!

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 5 More Interaction Challenges Management issues –People tend to avoid risk, stay within “comfort zone” - may appear stubborn Technical issues –Architecture is a difficult subject Cultural issues –The “Ivory Tower” problem… Architect Development/Testing Architecture is difficult to mandate

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 6 Working with IT Middle Management Middle managers threatened by SOA because of the Service domain reorganization Solution: –Technical specialties still required –New opportunities for Service domain management

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 7 The SOA Team Business analysts/business process architects –Define Service specs depending on business requirements –Decompose and recompose processes Enterprise/SO architects –Codify policy and best practices –Create Service model Technical specialists/project architects –Specify implementation Service provider/consumer developers –Implement requirements and policy Testers / Quality Assurance –Insure conformance, simulate Service providers & consumers Network, operations and security personnel –Contribute relevant expertise to project

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 8 The Roles of SOA

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 9 Bring Together Different Mindsets Developer Mindset: “Bottom-Up” –Everything is a Service or an Interface –Goal: connect Services –Method: Use objects and App Servers –Problem: Too many things to connect! Business Mindset: “Top-Down” –Everything is a Process –Goal: Run business efficiently: manage processes –Method: Use diagrams and flowcharts –Problem: How can you turn “shelf- ware” into software?

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 10 Challenge: Inertia in the Organization Architecture doesn’t have features and business executives pay for features! Moving to SOA means breaking down silos and sharing resources The technology change is easy – it’s the human change that’s the hard part!

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 11 Just what does SOA mean on a Resume Anyways? I know how to spell it I read it in a magazine I know Web Services The vendors told me everything I know. I know architecture

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 12 Vendor Credentials: Ingenious or Dubious? Some vendors are building off their early expertise and knowledge, and EA capabilities for consulting. –IBM, BEA, HP, Microsoft, maybe one or two others have credible training / credentialing –webMethods / Software AG now building steam with the SOAMasterClass.org But most are self-serving… –“Want to be credentialed / certified? Just buy our products!”

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 13 Object Management Group (OMG) Credentials & Network “OMG™ is an international, open membership, not-for-profit computer industry consortium. OMG Task Forces develop enterprise integration standards for a wide range of technologies, and an even wider range of industries” Champions of: –CORBA –UML –Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) The SOA Consortium “The SOA Consortium is a new SOA advocacy group comprised of end users, service providers, and technology vendors, committed to helping the Global 1000 successfully adopt SOA by 2010.” While adding to the picture, not really a SOA credential per-se. More IT generalist credentials / certifications applicable that are either super-sets of SOA credentials or provide underlying foundation.

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 14 Open Group Credentials & Network “The Open Group is a vendor-neutral and technology-neutral consortium, whose vision of Boundaryless Information Flow™ will enable access to integrated information, within and among enterprises,based on open standards and global interoperability.” The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) –TOGAF Certification is for both individuals and organizations. Individuals can become certified by demonstrating their knowledge of TOGAF either by attending a training course or passing an examination test. Organizations can have their products (TOGAF Tools or Training Courses), and services certified. Association of Open Group Enterprise Architects (AOGEA) –The AOGEA is the definitive professional association for Enterprise Architects. Its goals are to increase job opportunities for all of its members and increase their market value by advancing professional excellence, and to raise the status of the profession as a whole. IT Architect Certification (ITAC) –An independent, industry-wide standard for IT Architects and creates a foundation for trust between suppliers and customers. –Under the program, practicing Enterprise and IT Architects can achieve the IT Architect Certification based on demonstrating substantial skills, experience and success in architecting solutions across the whole lifecycle. –In addition to certifying individuals directly, the program also provides Accreditation of third-party IT architect certification programs. The skill and experience requirements for both the Direct Certification and the Accredited programs are identical. Helping to mature the IT industry and EA resources as a whole, but not SOA specific.

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 15 IASA Network “IASA is the premier association focused on the architecture profession through the advancement of best practices and education while delivering programs and services to IT architects of all levels around the world. ” Skills Library IT Architect Symposia Training –Not SOA specific, but segmentation of architect community matches closely with SOA career development

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 16 The Licensed ZapThink Architect (LZA) Program Three Levels of Credentialing for SOA architects: –Junior Licensed ZapThink Architect EA architects with some SOA capabilities –Senior Licensed ZapThink Architect EA architects with strong SOA artifact expertise –Licensed ZapThink Architect Fellow (Trainer) Licensed to deliver SOA knowledge and training to others in the organization Membership in the LZA Program for one year –Contribution and collaboration on SOA artifacts –Annual LZA member conference –Interaction with other SOA / EA experts –Access to the Architect Resource Center (ARC) ZapThink is filling the unmet need for SOA knowledge and credentials

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 17 How Do You Eat an Elephant? One bite at a time! Don’t expect to have all the answers on day one Take a step-by-step approach Show business value at each step

Copyright © 2007, ZapThink, LLC 18 Thank You! Photos © Lisa Polucci