The Four Spaces Model: A Framework for Services Governance in Urbanized Information Systems

Abstract

Information systems urbanization is among the most well-known approaches defined in the recent years to build agile information systems. This approach links enterprise architecture and information systems governance. It is based on the “Information City” framework and two architecture principles: strong consistency and loose coupling. Nevertheless, the implementation of the loose coupling principle in urbanized information systems still faces numerous difficulties related notably to services exchanges governance. In this paper, we propose a framework – called the four spaces model – for the governance of services in the case of application of the SOA architecture style to urbanized information systems. In particular, we focus on the operational aspects of services exchanges governance either within the same information system or between different information systems. This framework has many important contributions. First, it standardizes the exchanges between the organizational actors involved in the services governance process. Second, it facilitates services exchanges traceability. Third, it promotes loose coupling both within the same information system and between different information systems.