Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for exchanging information between information technology (IT) services. An architecture provides separation of concern between the models by separating the models for IT services into an operation model and a structural model that are linked by a service model. The service model can be configurable to extend the operation model. Configuration of the operation model includes defining messages exchanged between the IT services. Configuration of the structural model includes capturing a structure of the IT services. The service model has an association with the structural model, the association making the structural model opaque to the operation model.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for managing best practices in modeling information technology (IT) services. An architecture for validating a service model using a plurality of best practices (PBPs) provides separation of concern between the service model and selection of best practices by enabling an independent selection of the service model and the PBPs. A best practice precedence (BPP) is configured to disambiguate conflicts between the PBPs and select a selected best practice (SBP) from the PBPs. A validation engine validates a compliance or non-compliance of the service model with the SBP. A refined service model is generated by combining selective portions of the SBP with the service model.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for managing best practices in modeling information technology (IT) services. An architecture for validating a service model using a plurality of best practices (PBPs) provides separation of concern between the service model and selection of best practices by enabling an independent selection of the service model and the PBPs. A best practice precedence (BPP) is configured to disambiguate conflicts between the PBPs and select a selected best practice (SBP) from the PBPs. A validation engine validates a compliance or non-compliance of the service model with the SBP. A refined service model is generated by combining selective portions of the SBP with the service model.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for exchanging information between information technology (IT) services. An architecture provides separation of concern between the models by separating the models for IT services into an operation model and a structural model that are linked by a service model. The service model can be configurable to extend the operation model. Configuration of the operation model includes defining messages exchanged between the IT services. Configuration of the structural model includes capturing a structure of the IT services. The service model has an association with the structural model, the association making the structural model opaque to the operation model.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for information technology (IT) services lifecycle management. A services architecture provides a plurality of services that are capable of being ordered. A design service captures declarative specifications of services as service models. A catalog service receives the service model and combines the service models into a plurality of service offerings to provide a catalog of orderable services. An order configuration service receives an order for at least one orderable service selectable from the catalog of orderable services. An order processing service instantiates the at least one orderable service in two phases, thereby generating an instantiated ordered service. An order fulfillment service fulfills the order in accordance with the instantiated ordered service.