Building on their early successes with pilot projects, many companies are pursuing enterprisewide service-oriented architecture (SOA) initiatives. These longer-term, expansive projects demand personnel with proven SOA skills. Yet the challenge of acquiring SOA skills is more than just another skirmish in the larger war for IT talent.

Obtaining the best SOA skills requires a new approach. Companies must create a global development team, balancing geographically dispersed employees, outsourced personnel and expert consultants for hire.

Do not assume, however, that the old tactics of rote outsourcing, hiring consultants and re-hiring for new skills will work here. The rules have changed. Outsourcing the responsibility for IT architecture is not a sound approach. Hiring an army of external consultants is too costly. Firing and replacing the entire staff is impractical.