When the organization achieves the ability to deliver and govern services and service compositions in response to business automation requirements, it has reached the Service Capable level. An organization at this level will have avoided or overcome common adoption pitfalls and will therefore be positioned for a successful SOA initiative. It will have a skilled, well trained team that has consistently delivered services within the required processes and regulations.

The principal risk at this level is that of stalling – remaining at a service capable level, without making further progress to move on to the Business Aligned level. This risk exists due to a potential sense of satisfaction with the current state of having services capable of composition in support of current business automation requirements. However, when those business requirements begin to change, it becomes necessary to ensure and maintain a high level of alignment, which is why a transition to the next level must always remain a goal.