The Relationship between Service Oriented Architecture and Enterprise Architecture

The adoption of Enterprise Architecture (EA) concepts within organizations is causing an interest in the methodologies and supporting technologies available. Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) supports EA in many facets. However, there is much dissolution with regard to the relationship between EA and SOA within organizations. There are also potential problems that may arise if this relationship between SOA and EA is not agreed to at the outset of implementing an EA. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the growing role and importance of understanding the relationship between SOA and EA, and in doing so to demystify some of the expectations of the role that SOA plays in EA.