SOA Methodology Phases Explained (S90.04 Exam Guide)

Understanding the SOA Methodology Phases is essential for passing the S90.04 SOA Project Delivery & Methodology Exam by Arcitura Education Inc..

SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture) is not just about designing services — it is about following a structured delivery methodology to ensure alignment with business goals, governance standards, and long-term scalability.

This article explains the key phases you must master for the exam.

What Is SOA Methodology?

SOA Methodology is a structured framework that guides:

• Service analysis

• Service design

• Service implementation

• Service governance

• Service lifecycle management

It ensures that services are built strategically — not randomly.

The Core SOA Methodology Phases

While different organizations may adjust terminology slightly, the S90.04 exam focuses on the following structured phases:

1. Service-Oriented Analysis Phase

This phase identifies:

• Business processes

• Business capabilities

• Candidate services

• Service boundaries

Key Activities:

• Analyzing business requirements

• Identifying reusable service candidates

• Mapping business logic to services

Exam Focus:

You may see questions about avoiding service duplication or identifying correct service granularity.

2. Service-Oriented Design Phase

In this phase, candidate services are refined into:

• Standardized service contracts

• Defined service interfaces

• Logical service models

Key Activities:

• Defining service policies

• Applying SOA design principles

• Designing message formats

Important Concepts:

• Loose coupling

• Service reusability

• Service composability

The exam may test your ability to choose proper design strategies.

3. Service Development Phase

This phase involves actual implementation.

Key Activities:

• Coding service logic

• Integrating with backend systems

• Implementing security controls

• Testing services

Governance ensures development follows established standards.

4. Service Testing & Validation Phase

Services must be validated before deployment.

Testing Includes:

• Functional testing

• Performance testing

• Security testing

• SLA verification

The S90.04 exam may present scenarios involving quality control gaps.

5. Service Deployment Phase

Deployment includes:

• Publishing services

• Registering services in repositories

• Version control

• Monitoring setup

This phase ensures services are accessible and discoverable.

6. Service Governance Phase

Governance spans all phases.

It ensures:

• Compliance with architectural standards

• Lifecycle control

• Version management

• Risk mitigation

Remember for the exam:

Governance is continuous — not a one-time activity.

7. Service Monitoring & Optimization Phase

After deployment, services must be monitored.

This includes:

• Usage tracking

• Performance monitoring

• SLA enforcement

• Continuous improvement

Organizations refine services based on analytics and feedback.

Visual Overview of SOA Lifecycle

Analysis → Design → Development → Testing → Deployment → Governance → Optimization

Each phase supports structured project delivery.

Common Exam Mistakes to Avoid

1. Skipping analysis and jumping into development
2. Ignoring governance controls
3. Confusing governance with management
4. Overlooking lifecycle monitoring
5. Designing services without business alignment
6. The S90.04 exam tests methodology discipline.

Why SOA Methodology Matters

Without a structured methodology:

• Services become inconsistent

• Governance weakens

• Integration complexity increases

• Business alignment suffers

A formal SOA methodology ensures scalability, compliance, and sustainability.

Conclusion

For the S90.04 SOA Project Delivery & Methodology Exam, mastering the methodology phases is critical.

Remember:

• Analysis defines what to build.

• Design defines how it works.

• Development builds it.

• Governance controls it.

• Monitoring improves it.

SOA success depends on disciplined execution across all phases.