Avoiding SOA Failure

CXOtoday reports on an IDC study offering advice for successful SOA projects. Some choice quotes from the article:

Majority of the early SOA adopters also cited the re-engineering of existing business processes as their top SOA implementation challenge. The ideal approach necessitates a “re look” at existing business processes, because without proper knowledge and awareness of existing services and processes, the execution process of the SOA project could be difficult.

IDC advises end-user organizations considering SOA adoption to develop a closer collaborative approach with partners, and trusted vendors to be equipped with the essential skill sets, roadmaps and implementation methodologies. End users should ensure that strategic business objectives are met by their SOA implementation roadmaps, and these new services are enabling blocks for their organizational needs.

Another trend observed by IDC is that end users continue with their “in- house” approach to build SOA knowledge and awareness within their organizations, despite of the fact that software vendors are offering converged solutions for better adoption of SOA technology.

I find it striking that these issues track so closely to the challenges that cause failure on ordinary, non-SOA software implementation projects. I suppose the old saying is true: “the technology may change but the faces stay the same” (or something like that).