FACTORS TO SUCCEED WITH SOA - Shared Experiences from Five Organizations moving towards a Service-Oriented Architecture

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: “By the end of 2007, Forrester expects to see 75% of Global 2000 firms implementing SOA…” PROBLEM: “Implementing SOA” and “Broadly adopting SOA”, almost makes it sound as easy as pushing a button. Perhaps “the long journey of gradually moving towards a SOA” would have been somewhat more suitable. After all, as in any extensive change obstacles are likely to arise down the road. Getting carried away, and go shopping your very own “SOA toolbox” may be tempting, bearing in mind the combination of SOA and web services are being marketed as the silver bullet companies have been looking for to magically solve all business issues of today. But even though SOA is expected to provide potential benefits of reduced IT costs through reuse of services and greater business agility, many researchers remain sceptical, saying there are valid doubts about such claims. By unfolding critical success factors in SOA implementations, involving both difficulties identified and lessons learned; SOA can devolve from a utopian buzzword to an earthly concept other companies can relate to, and above all – learn from. PURPOSE: The purpose of this thesis is to share organizations’ experiences of having adopted SOA, to learn what factors were essential for succeeding with such an architectural approach. In compliance with this, the aim of this thesis is to provide an answer to the following research question: What factors are essential to succeed with SOA? METHOD: The research has been founded on both secondary and primary data. Case-studies have been used together with qualitative semi-structured interviews with SAS, Volvo IT, Sandvik, Skatteverket, Sandvik and SEB to build up a descriptive profile of each organization as well as identifying critical success factors. CONCLUSIONS: According to SAS, Volvo IT, Skatteverket, Sandvik and SEB – the overall most critical factor to succeed with SOA is Strong Governance. Nonetheless, the ability to establish a coherent structure making sure several pieces are managed in symbiosis is in truth the real “key” factor to succeed with SOA. Other closely related critical factors are: establishing a central governance function, defining principles, standards, contracts, and guidelines, adopting appropriate financial models, assigning ownership of services, communicating the SOA vision, and exercising strong leadership.