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SOA - Beyond the Hype – May 2006

Service Oriented Architecture, SOA, is one of the most talked about buzz phrases in the IT industry at the moment. In true Reg fashion, we'd like you to help us cut through all of the theory and the hype and get to the underlying substance and practicalities.

1. DEFINITION OF SOA

1.1 How would you rate your knowledge of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA)?

Extensive in-depth expertise
Good working knowledge
General high level knowledge only
Aware, but knowledge limited
Unsure

1.2 How consistent would you say the definition of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is across the IT industry?

Very consistent
Consistent at a high level, but not on the detail
Highly variable
Unsure

1.3 In your own mind, how clear is the definition of SOA?

Very clear
Only partially clear
Not clear at all

1.4 Which of the following would you say are essential elements of SOA? Tick all that apply

Component based software development
The sharing of software capabilities as "black box" services across the network
Dynamic middleware to coordinate service execution and access
Use of directories to enable service publication and discovery
Mechanisms to monitor and manage the performance of services
Other (please specify)

2. SOA WITHIN YOUR ORGANISATION

2.1 Where does (or would) SOA sit within your organisation?

Part of the overall business strategy
Part of the overall IT strategy
As a bridging element spanning the two
As a purely tactical/operational IT play
Unsure / Undecided

2.2 To what degree has your organisation taken SOA concepts and practices on board?

Broad adoption
Selected adoption in some areas
Initial pilot / investigative activity
It is on the agenda, but no activity yet
No activity, no plans
Unsure / Undecided

2.3 Can SOA help significantly in any of the following areas? Tick all that apply

Mapping IT systems onto the business
Implementing service level agreements
Minimising duplication of effort during development
Minimising duplication of functionality between systems
Simplifying application integration
Simplifying the integration of information
Managing the impact of application mods and upgrades
Implementing major changes like outsourcing, M&A, etc
Providing users with coherent access across systems
Supporting electronic trading and collaboration initiatives
Other (please specify)

2.4 Is there a role for SOA in helping business and IT people communicate more effectively through a common service oriented vocabulary?

Yes
Possibly
No
Unsure

3. INVESTMENT PRACTICALITIES

3.1 In your own mind, how clear is the rationale for adopting SOA?

Very clear
Only partially clear
Not clear at all

3.2 Which of the following would you regard as significant business level drivers for investing in SOA? Tick all that apply

More rapid and flexible IT response to changing business needs
Enhanced ability for IT to drive and/or support business innovation
Improved operational service levels to the business
Cost savings from more efficient delivery of IT
Protection of past and future IT investments by delaying obsolescence
Other (please specify)

3.3 Beyond normal project level spend, is there a requirement for investment in any of the following to enable the effective adoption of SOA? Tick all that apply

Policy/process development
Staff training and/or recruitment
Tools, middleware, etc
Professional services
Other (please specify)

3.4 Who approved or would approve the funding for such investments?

Senior IT management
Senior business management
Both
Neither
Unsure

3.5 How easy is it to articulate the SOA concept and rationale to senior business management?

Relatively straightforward
Quite challenging
Very difficult
Impossible
N/A - not their concern
Unsure

3.6 Do you have any tips or suggested approaches for those having difficulties in this area?

 

3.7 Overall, what level of priority does your organisation's management place on investing in SOA versus other investments?

One of the highest priorities
Important, but second to many other investments
Minor importance, fairly low down the list of priorities
N/A - we can fund SOA adoption from project budgets
N/A - we have no need to invest in this area
Unsure

4. ADOPTION PRACTICALITIES

4.1 How are new ideas like SOA generally introduced into your organisation?

Top down - strategy then structured rollout
Bottom up - gain experience on specific projects first
Iterative - initial loose strategy firmed up as experience is gained
Ad hoc - make decisions purely on a project by project basis
Unsure / N/A

4.2 What is the likelihood of the following activities taking place in the early stages of SOA adoption in your organisation - say in the first year?

 
Already Done
Doing or planned
Likely
Unlikely
TOP DOWN ACTIVITIES
Strategic review of how SOA impacts or transforms the way IT works with and supports the business
Review of existing IT systems and practices to determine where and how it makes sense to adopt SOA in practical terms
Rollout SOA as a proactive programme with investment in policy development, training, technology, etc as necessary
PROJECT LEVEL ACTIVITIES
Application of SOA to new custom development(s)
Adoption of SOA based software package(s) (new or upgrade)
Use of SOA to help with internal integration project(s)
Introduction of SOA via portal initiative(s)
SOA based integration initiative(s) with customers, suppliers, etc
SOA based Web development project(s)
Other (please specify)

4.3 What do you see as the biggest challenges or barriers to moving forward with SOA?

 

4.4 Have there been or do you anticipate particular challenges in any of the following areas within your organisation? Tick all that apply

General understanding of what SOA is and what it offers
Finding the time to investigate and bring it on board
Establishing where and how to apply it
Securing the support of senior management
Securing the necessary funding
Confirming that enabling technologies are ready
Unsure

4.5 Please name three suppliers you would turn to for knowledge and guidance on SOA adoption

 
 
 

4.6 Pulling it all together, which of the following would you regard as critical to the success of SOA within your organisation (past or future)? Tick all that apply

Buy in from senior IT management
Buy in from senior business management
Involvement of architects
Clearly defined long term strategy
Practical short term goals and "quick wins"
Cross department funding / governance
Help and guidance from suppliers
Other (please specify)

4.7 Finally, how would you sum up the nature of SOA?

A radical new approach
An evolution of existing ideas and practices
A useful reorganisation of existing ideas
Largely just vendor hype
Unsure

5. BEFORE YOU GO

5.1 Which part of the world are you based in?

 

5.2 Which of the following categories best describes your organisation?

Aerospace & Defence
Automotive
Banking
Central Government
Chemicals & Petroleum
Education
Energy & Utilities
Fast Moving Consumer Goods
Financial Markets
Goods transportation and Logistics
Healthcare
High Tech
Industrial (Manufacturing, construction, engineering etc)
Insurance
Life Sciences
Local Government
Media & Entertainment
Professional Services
Retail
Telecommunications
Travel & Transportation
Other, please specify

5.3 Which of the following best describes your role? please choose the first option that applies

Head of ITC function or department
ITC Project/team leader/manager
ITC professional (architecture/design)
ITC professional (development/coding)
ITC professional (operations/support)
Business analyst
Business manager/executive
Business professional
Other (please specify)

5.4 Approximately how large is your organisation (worldwide) in terms of employees?

Less than 10 employees
10 to 49 employees
50 to 249 employees
250 to 4,999 employees
5,000 to 24,999 employees
More than 25,000 employees
Unsure / N/A
 

MANY THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. PLEASE CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS

 
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