System and method for provisioning cloud services using a hybrid service management engine plugin

Described herein is a system and method for provisioning or controlling services using a hybrid service management engine (SME) plugin. In accordance with an embodiment, SMEs provide a means by which service types can be plugged into a cloud environment. For example, an SME can control a service-specific lifecycle, including provisioning, management, and monitoring of a service type. In accordance with an embodiment, an SME plugin associated with a service type can extend a hybrid SME plugin, to delegate one or more lifecycle operations to be controlled with shell or other scripts. Since a service provider can be associated with an SME that is used for the lifecycle and configuration of its services, the use of a hybrid SME plugin allows shell scripts to be leveraged to assist in the provisioning and control of those services.