I have the flu this week. No biggy, I'm never sick. So, when I get sick I don't feel too bad about it. However, I've had an opportunity to catch up on some reading, and think a bit more about a few SOA topics. Here are some thoughts: One Size does not Fit All One of the patterns that are beginning to emerge as I was catching up on my SOA reading was the notion that one technology will work for all SOA projects. I have the flu this week. No biggy, I’m never sick. So, when I get sick I don’t feel too bad about it. However, I’ve had an opportunity to catch up on some reading, and think a bit more about a few SOA topics. Here are some thoughts:One Size does not Fit AllOne of the patterns that are beginning to emerge as I was catching up on my SOA reading was the notion that one technology will work for all SOA projects. Typically it’s around ESB, but I’m not going to pick on the ESB guys here, also suite solutions from the larger players. Truth-be-told as I’m working on SOA projects there is no hard and fast rule as to what technology will be the final solution. Indeed, the requirements need to be fully understood, and then you select the right technology for the job. While ESB are indicated some of the time as well as suite solutions, typically I’m finding that best-of-breed technology solutions are optimal. Meaning 3-6 vendor solutions that make up your final group of SOA products. So, when I read “We are moving to an ESB” but don’t hear “based on our requirements” chances are these guys are “managing by magazine” and not taking steps to define their own requirements. It’s going to be expensive on the back-end to fix the issues.Misuse of Governance Governance is one of those notions that everyone is talking about, but nobody seems to understand what the heck it does. The vendors are part of the problem, the “governance” solutions out there vary wildly in terms of functionality and approach, and it’s no wonder that those with real SOA requirements are confused. I view governance as an layer of software that allows you to manage and control the use of services, including finding, securing, versioning, etc.. In some respects governance technology provides a great deal of value, but not in all cases. You have to select these tools with your own requirements in mind, as always, and I would say you approach them as if you don’t need them, until you do. I’m going to take something and go to bed. The virus that’s got me is below. Software Development