<<Many opinions and discussions are going on around SOA payback. Whether, SOA will give better ROI, good control in business operations, best integration solution? Or another stack for IT department, it requires added maintenance, high investment for normal system requirements or just marketing etc. But the good news is everyone has thought on SOA. I would say that, SOA payback is based on your implement process and technology. Lets take a real time scenario, Why an enterprise looking for SOA? When, they need a flexible business system, better integration solution, new business system and reuse existing legacy systems. Usually if an enterprise comfortable with existing system they will not prefer to go for another system until unless they have long term IT roadmap. So, when there is a need there is brainstorming session for new system.
But if an enterprise refers it's IT sources they may mistakenly directed to end-to-end SOA implementation. This kind of implementation takes time and effort since it involves strategy change, requires effective governance process and change in the organization, environment etc. But a successful SOA implementation is based on your implementation strategy, but it will differ from case to case. Basically, SOA in an architectural approach like other development approaches but it will assist to reuse the existing business components for upcoming requirements. In SOA, the implementation approach will make a huge difference. This is where an enterprise ought to take decision. For example, an enterprise is using a portal and ERP system for their business operations. Now they would like to add additional features in the existing portal like online purchasing and also they wanted to promote existing client server ERP as web based system owing to business expansion. Somehow they got thought of SOA. But if a solution provider approaching with full-blown SOA implementation which will integration all functionalities of existing ERP with their portal server with implementation long roadmap. As per the roadmap, the enterprise immediate requirement also will be satisfied after end-to-end implementation due to the proposed implementation and governance model. This kind of roadmap will not add any significance to their current need. SOA roadmap is not a standard that can fit for all SOA implementation. The best roadmap would be to resolve the immediate business requirement by using services integration. First of all prioritize and build collection of services with orchestration. Integration and roll out each business operation with policies. Let enterprise starting using the system. Go to next iteration of development repeat the process. This kind of approach will give immediate confidence and result to the customer and best return on investment. Of course a long vision and road map required before you start your implementation lifecycle. From implementation point of view, incremental implementation approach will ensure continuous improvement and better results. Good governance model requires imposing iterations smoothly. This will also ensure to adjust the iteration based on implementation impacts. I am interested to know your view if you have done any SOA implementation based on incremental approach.>> You can read this blog at: http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/soa-governance/incremental-approach-for-better-soa-payback-28058 Gervas
