Everyone in the tech space is aware of cloud services’ role in fostering innovation and adoption of technology-based solutions, and the benefits they offer to the businesses embracing it. 

Under market demand or internal push, there’s now an urgency, especially for ISVs, to adopt cloud services. Because it’s not just a matter of competitive advantage anymore, but that of relevance and survival in the future.

With that rush, the organizations miss a deliberate and coherent strategy for cloud adoption. Often organizations believe they have a strategy in place, which, on the contrary, is merely an implementation plan, often technology-focused and narrow in its scope.

So, what is a cloud strategy? 

Definition 

Gartner defines it as “a concise point of view on the role of cloud within the organization.” 

How does it help?

It forces the organizations to objectively think and plan the ‘why?’, ‘how?’ and ‘who?’ of cloud adoption along with its ‘what?’. It is the plan of action to achieve the long-term success of their business using the cloud as an enabler. It attempts to bring the adoption of the cloud within the organization in alignment with its strategic business objectives. 

A well-established cloud strategy helps identify a specific adoption approach based on the organization’s goals and business drivers. In addition, it ensures clear communication to and alignment of all internal stakeholders (including HR, legal, and finance) and technology partners. Further, it helps track progress against well-defined milestones and success metrics–it serves as their north star.

Lastly, it is a regularly updated living document to reflect new insights, incorporate changing market needs, and adopt tech advancements.

Risks of not having a cloud strategy 

Without having a sound cloud strategy, the organization might try to accommodate potentially conflicting choices, e.g., control vs. simplicity, deep integration vs. portability, single vs. multi-cloud implementation, etc. Unfortunately, because of this lack of focus and alignment among stakeholders, the implementation stage results in inefficient use of the workforce and waste of time and financial resources. 

Besides that, the organization not only fails to capitalize on new opportunities, but it eventually cannot meet its essential goals.

Conclusion 

In short, a cloud strategy is an indispensable tool that leads organizations towards a multitude of favorable outcomes in their quest for success while sailing through changing market dynamics and a complex tech landscape.

REFERENCES

1. Top 10 Tips for Avoiding the Most Common Mistakes in Cloud Strategies (2020) Gartner. Available at: https://emtemp.gcom.cloud/ngw/globalassets/en/doc/documents/725536-top-10-tips-for-avoiding-the-most-common-mistakes-in-cloud-strategies.pdf (Accessed: 22 May 2022).
2. Definition of Cloud Strategy - Gartner Information Technology Glossary (no date) Gartner. Available at: https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/cloud-strategy (Accessed: 19 June 2022).
3. A 7-Step Guide to Creating Your Cloud Strategy - Avenga (2021) Avenga. Available at: https://www.avenga.com/magazine/cloud-strategy/ (Accessed: 22 May 2022).
4. Peterson, E. (2021) How To Create A Cloud Strategy: The 3-Step Process, Cloud Zero. Available at: https://www.cloudzero.com/blog/cloud-strategy (Accessed: 22 May 2022).