Summary

This chapter discussed guidelines for developing alternative concepts for N1 Grid service implementations and their associated processes. It did this by illustrating basic analysis for several common target problem spaces in preparation for the solution space design work in those areas. If you go through this analysis phase for your N1 Grid solution, try to focus on creating initial high-level architecture ideas and developing the analysis capability needed to determine if the solution designs you will develop in subsequent phases meet the requirements you have captured.

This chapter also discussed how to better understand N1 Grid solutions in your environment by looking beyond the basic efficiency gains toward the strategic opportunities of being able to count on those efficiency gains time and time again. Part 3 presents an architectural pathway from efficiency to strategic flexibility, where the benefits of a service-centric, systemic, and quality-driven "just-in-time" IT infrastructure maximizes the use of assets and minimizes cost and effort.

Finally, you can consider leveraging the benefits that arise from the iterative phases of architecture new information folded back into old perceptions by including these concepts as you study this book for N1 Grid architecture planning. After reading the ideas, examples, and case studies in Part 3 and Part 4, you can reread the chapters in Part 2 before you prepare to implement N1 Grid technology opportunities into your environment.