SOA Modeling Patterns for Service-Oriented Discovery and Analysis

Chapter 3. HORIZONTAL SERVICE DISCOVERY AND ANALYSIS: pursuing upward and outward road map patterns

Unlike the vertical service discovery and analysis process (described in Chapter 2) that advocates inspecting, modeling, and perfecting a service's internal construct, the horizontal approach to service identification and inspection focuses on the environment and the expansion or contraction of a service influence and boundaries across applications and organizations. This "big picture" perspective enables architects, developers, analysts, modelers, and managers to view a service's surroundings by shifting the attention from a service's internal capabilities and functionality to a larger spectrum of concerns.

Therefore, pursue the horizontal method for discovering, analyzing, and modeling services not only to understand the necessities of a service and its current implementation limitations and constraints but also to expand or contract its capabilities and provide greater business and technological value. Adhere to the best practices that are provided along with the two chief discovery and analysis road map patterns that facilitate these goals: Upward (42) and Outward (46). The horizontal service discovery and analysis model that is illustrated in Exhibit 3.1 identifies these two patterns and the commitment to architecture best practices and standards adherence.

To better understand architecture policies, employ the Upward direction. This approach would also allow expanding practitioners' ...