| Title: |
Agile SOA |
| Author: |
David Sprott |
| Publication Date: |
29 April 2009 |
| Report Type: |
Journal |
| Report Class: |
Best Practice |
| Abstract: |
Many people will see SOA and Agile methods as chalk and cheese, apples and oranges or oil and water - they don’t mix well. On the one hand Agile methods eschew formality, while SOA is inherently about bringing structure and design governance. Yet there is clearly high demand for rapid delivery methods and widespread dissatisfaction with enterprise SOA efforts that are not delivering rapid business value. In this report we suggest there are many ways in which Agile techniques and methods can be highly effective in delivering services and solutions in the SOA style. We provide a framework that clarifies where the various techniques are appropriate and strategies for success in Agile SOA. In a complementary report we also overview the Outsystems product that claims to be an Agile SOA platform. |
| Backgrounder: |
Continuing concerns over the effectiveness of enterprise SOA, together with the recession driving immediate cost reduction and tactical solution delivery projects inevitably creates demand and interest in agile solution delivery methods.
Agile isn’t new. I will admit pioneering Rapid Application Development (RAD) techniques while working with James Martin Associates (JMA) in the 1980s. RAD was a forerunner of today’s Agile methods and blazed a trail for timeboxing, hybrid teams, specialized tools and individual responsibility.
Today a number of software development methodologies are clustered under the term Agile methods. These include Scrum, Crystal Clear, Extreme Programming, Adaptive Software Development (ASD), Feature Driven Development (FDD), Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) and V-Model. Agile methods are a family of development processes, not a single approach to software development. Most agile methods include iterative and incremental development approaches and focus on building releasable software in very short time periods of weeks not months. Working practices are generally collaborative and formal documentation is less important than delivered working software.
Some questions we will attempt to answer:
- How does Agile (software development) relate to SOA?
- Do Agile practices relate purely to software development?
- Is there a concept that we might refer to as Agile SOA?
In this report we will analyze the commonly used Agile techniques and practices and consider applicability to SOA processes. We will attempt to provide a framework that clarifies where the various techniques are appropriate and strategies for success in Agile SOA. |
| Report Size: |
10 pages |
| Report Access Type: |
 | Silver/Gold (Premium) |
|
| Available for separate purchase |
Single copies of recent CBDI Journals may be purchased |
| Login |
|
Home