Cloud Strategy

What is part of a cloud strategy? Five steps to the goal

A cloud strategy defines the strategic goals of a cloud transformation. It is based on the business and innovation goals, makes the advantages of the cloud introduction visible across the organization, and takes into account opportunities and risks for all the business areas involved. The following five steps are part of a holistic cloud strategy:

Cloud motivation: define and record reasons for cloud adoption

There are different reasons for using cloud services. So at the beginning of any cloud strategy there is always the question: What is the goal? Why do you want to move to the cloud or use certain cloud services? What internal and external factors are driving your decision? Each department has a different motivation in this regard. Get the key technical project stakeholders and executives around the table and define and document the different perspectives so that an overall picture emerges. We will help you with this!

Motivations for cloud adoption at a glance:

Cloud Vision: Document business goals and derive KPIs

Gather and prioritize your business goals – from growth targets to time-to-market improvements to sustainability goals. How does cloud adoption help you achieve these goals? What KPIs can be used to make project success measurable? What opportunities and risks arise from the transformation? In combination with the motivations, this allows the first rough project definition and roadmap for implementation to be derived. It also becomes clear which IT components and applications are critical.

Cloud costs: Thinking through financial aspects

The financial aspects should not be neglected either: What impact does the cloud have on the IT cost structure? How do operating costs change (capex vs. opex)? When will there be a return on investment? Detailed calculations and financial scenarios provide information on the extent to which a cloud migration pays off and whether cost savings can be expected.

Cloud technology: map IT landscape and capture technical considerations

Document the current situation and gain a holistic overview of your IT landscape in this step. Determine which technologies are already in use across the company. Which applications are critical? Which technological challenges are hindering the company’s goals? Which IT components are performing well or poorly? Find the best approach to move and manage workloads to the cloud or modernize applications. This will help you determine which cloud and technology approach is right for you.

Cloud Security & Governance: Setting up a cloud security strategy

The cloud strategy must be in line with the overarching corporate strategy and compliance guidelines. Cloud security is about issues relating to protection against attacks, monitoring IT operations and the appropriate solutions. Cloud governance includes issues around authorization concepts and general guidelines. Therefore, develop an initial cloud security strategy as a core component of future cloud governance.