Technology analyst firm Gartner has outlined 10 things to avoid when developing a cloud computing strategy in a world that is increasingly leaning towards cloud first. Because being “cloud first” does not necessarily mean being “cloud only”.
According to Marco Meinardi, vice president analyst at Gartner, companies should develop a concise document of 10 to 20 pages that will guide those responsible for implementing the strategy. It is an important document as cloud computing becomes the dominant mode of consumption for compute, storage and networking. “Business strategy should drive cloud computing strategy and provide guidance to those implementing it. It must coexist with other strategic efforts, not try to rewrite them,” he notes.
Organizations around the world spend more than $60 billion per quarter on cloud computing, according to another analyst firm, Canalys. Here are the 10 cloud computing mistakes to avoid according to Gartner:
- forget that cloud computing is not just about technology;
- not having an exit strategy;
- confusing cloud strategy with cloud implementation;
- believing that it is too late to develop a cloud computing strategy;
- thinking that developing a cloud computing strategy means moving everything to the cloud;
- thinking that cloud computing strategy matches data center strategy;
- believing that an executive mandate is your strategy;
- believe that having one cloud provider means having one cloud strategy;
- outsource the development of your cloud computing strategy;
- say that the “cloud first” logic brings together your entire cloud strategy.
Cloud Computing Isn’t Just About Technology
One of the 10 mistakes IT managers should avoid is thinking that cloud computing is only about technology. Developing a strategy is an opportunity to involve general management and business lines from the outset.
“Business leaders and IT managers must avoid making the mistake of designing an IT-centric strategy and then trying to ‘sell’ it to the rest of the business,” says Marco Meinardi. “Business and IT must be equal partners in defining the cloud computing strategy. »
Organizations should also not fail to have an exit strategy from a cloud computing vendor, even though it is difficult to design one. Although many IT managers do not anticipate the need to bring resources in-house, they must be prepared.
Cloud strategy and cloud implementation have nothing to do
“It’s like having an insurance policy in your drawer, which you hope never to have to use”, illustrates Marco Meinardi.
Organizations should also distinguish between a cloud computing strategy and a cloud computing implementation plan. Cloud strategy is the phase in which business leaders and IT managers decide what role cloud computing will play in the organization. Even late, developing a cloud strategy is better. Without it, resistance from end users is more likely.
“If companies adopt cloud computing without a strategy, it will end up causing resistance from people who are not aligned with the drivers and key principles of the strategy,” warns Marco Meinardi. “Therefore, this resistance will slow cloud adoption and potentially jeopardize the entire cloud project. »
Don’t take your dreams for reality
Gartner also recommends treating company executives’ wishes and orders in this regard as “sponsorship to design a cloud strategy.” In essence, this means that their desires do not really constitute a cloud strategy in themselves.
Marco Meinardi also advises not to confuse “cloud first” and “cloud only”.
“If business leaders and IT leaders adopt the principle of ‘cloud first’, their strategy must include exceptions to the default choice that will make applications accessible outside the cloud,” he says.
Source: ZDNet.com