Hoppa till huvudinnehållet

Taking control of Cloud from the beginning

The decision to embark on a cloud program is a critical moment for any organization. As businesses increasingly turn to cloud technology to drive innovation, enhance agility, and streamline operations, the importance of laying a solid foundation for a successful cloud program is essential. Starting off from a position of strength is not just a matter of good practice – it’s an imperative that can shape the success and sustainability of the entire cloud journey.

Cloud introduces complexities and challenges such as unpredictable demand, variable spend, new operating models, and complex pricing scenarios.  Since a Cloud environment is never “owned”, its not paid for with capital funds and its ongoing maintenance is typically considered an operating expense.  This results in unpredictable spend against an operational budget that is not able to absorb variable expenses.

Any decision to move to cloud begins with a solid business case that considers future demand, hosting scenarios, and the strategic advantages of moving to cloud.  Ultimately the decision needs to support the outcomes the business is seeking and recognize that the variable nature of cloud is going to be an upheaval to the existing budget process.  Therefore, a cloud business case should contain, at a minimum, the following components

  • clearly articulate the business objective that the cloud migration aims to achieve
  • an assessment of the existing IT infrastructure, its limitations, and the business challenges it poses
  • a detailed description of the cloud solution including the specific services and technologies to be used
  • quantification of the expected benefits, cost saving and return on investment as KPIs that can be measured for success
  • a plan for implementation that includes a roadmap, timeline, and resource needs
  • clear and detailed governance of the cloud environment that includes how risks and compliance will be managed
  • identification of costs including the initial investment, ongoing operating costs, and potential cost savings or avoidance
  • clear recommendations and next steps to be achieve

The existence of a cloud business case does not mean everything moves to the cloud, and the role of governance in cloud cannot be underplayed.  While a business case provides the justification for a move, strong cloud governance contributes to better cost management, enhanced security, improved operational efficiency and reduced risk exposure.  A business case and cloud governance are the one-two punch necessary for delivering the business benefits of cloud. 

Good cloud governance has many elements that help organizations keep control, but at a minimum a program should contain the following:

  • A policy framework that establishes the rules, responsibilities, and procedures for cloud usage. This includes guidelines for data security, compliance with regulations, and resource utilization.
  • A risk management structure that lays out how cloud risks will be identified, assessed, and mitigated
  • Explains how cloud usage will align with internal compliance programs, industry regulations, and data protection laws
  • FinOps controls that implement methods for monitoring and controlling cloud costs, budget allocations, cost optimization strategies, and how cost accountability will be done across the organization
  • A defined process for the allocation and management of cloud resource including provisioning, deprovisioning, and optimizing resources to meet business objectives
  • A change control process for the management, updates, modifications, and configuration of cloud environments
  • Training and awareness programs to educate staff about cloud governance policies, best practices, and their roles in maintaining the organization’s cloud standards

The journey to Cloud is a transformative shift for any organization, providing both opportunities and challenges. The need to develop a robust business case cannot be overstated as it guides the alignment of strategic objectives with technology investments.  Supported by a comprehensive approach to governance, organizations can effectively create the underpinning for a successful cloud program.  Combined, these two essential elements help teams make informed decisions, manage costs, enhance security, and drive operational efficiently in their cloud environment.  Starting strong is a good way to be sure the team is on a path to success.

Author

Sharon Burke
Director | Technology & Transformation

Did you find this useful?

Thanks for your feedback