Tailoring information systems: an approach based on services and service composition

In recent years, information systems tailorability has been in the centre of research as the need for constructing information systems capable of adapting to change has increased resulting from the explosion of information system complexity. Although a number of approaches and paradigms have been proposed over the years for this purpose, they have not adequately addressed all perspectives associated with tailorability, both from a quantitative, as well as a qualitative viewpoint. In this article, we demonstrate the shortcomings of these approaches and advocate that service-oriented development through the composition of services presents a promising solution to tailorability. For this purpose, we present a particular approach to service-oriented development using soft systems methodology for modelling such systems and service description diagrams for representing root definitions in the design phase of service development. We further proceed in showing why this approach naturally accommodates the requirements behind tailorability.