In this presentation we discuss critical dimensions in the development of research infrastructures, namely Paradigm, Resources, Service provision, Engagement, Sustainability and Regulation. The effectiveness of an infrastructure is also evaluated along those dimensions. The analysis is carried out from three different, complementary perspectives: the blending of process and data orientation in the services of the infrastructure, the incorporation of data curation and the thematic relevance of an infrastructure. The case of the Greek National Infrastructure for Digital Arts, Humanities and Language Research and Innovation, APOLLONIS, is examined in the light of this analysis to show that the design decisions underlying its development are aimed at optimizing along the above dimensions and from all three perspectives.