Service portfolio management: A repository-based framework

• Published in: The Journal of systems and software Vol. 104; pp. 112 - 125
• Main Authors: Comerio, Marco, Batini, Carlo, Castelli, Marco, Grega, Simone, Rossetti, Marco, Viscusi, Gianluigi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Elsevier Inc 01-06-2015; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Decision making; Decision support systems; Information technology; Object repository; Portfolio management; Product lines; Service portfolio; Service repository; Service reuse; Studies; Italy; Service reuse; Service repository; Service portfolio
• ISSN: 0164-1212; 1873-1228; 1873-1228
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2015.01.055

•We define a model for the representation of a repository of services.•We define a model for the representation of a service portfolio of an organization.•We provide a set of metrics for service portfolio evaluation.•We provide a tool supporting managers in decision making on production objectives.
The paper discusses a framework for managing and evaluating ICT-enabled service portfolios along the service design phase. The framework adopts a service reuse perspective and it is made up of i) a model for the representation of a repository of services, ii) a model for the definition of a service portfolio representing current production lines of a service provider organization, iii) a set of metrics for service portfolio evaluation, and iv) a tool supporting managers in decision making for the achievement of design objectives. The proposed metrics and the tool are supposed to allow decision makers to get an improved view of the service design process. Furthermore, the framework supports managers in decision making for the achievement of production objectives as well as operational strategies, resulting in potential reuse initiatives, likewise. To provide evidence of the impacts of the proposed framework, experimental activities are discussed focusing on a real life case study, referring to an Italian small size service provider.