strategy execution planning?

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Overview

“Adopting cloud actually means transforming your organisation”

While a cloud strategy is vital, its execution is not guaranteed. Organisations often underestimate or even fear consequential changes. Cloud is not solely a platform shift; it can reshape your organisation. Choosing an execution approach that best fits the cloud strategy, organisational context and desired pace of transformation is key. ?

There are three main execution approaches. The best fit depends on contextual factors, often already captured in the strategy. (1) The plan-based approach pertains to organisations that must achieve a specific goal at a fixed point in time due to an epic event, such as closing a data centre or an upcoming migration. It is planned and pressured, demanding priority shifts. (2) The organic approach readies the organisation for leveraging cloud benefits, letting business drive value creation. Pressure is low, as business teams decide timing. (3) The incremental approach starts with systematically building capabilities and a strong directional outline of the cloud strategy, that allows for refinement through focusing on transforming sections of the organisation at the time. To create a steady pace of change, this approach requires recurring focus when planning iterations (e.g., when using agile at scale).  ?

Execution of the cloud strategy needs to be secured in the organisation. Through establishing multi-level leadership support and appointing a cloud transformation leader on the C-level, appropriate priority setting is promoted. Sufficient initial budget needs to be allocated to allow for smooth initiation. Lastly, by aligning the scale of the CCoE with the chosen execution scenario, a governance foundation is created to guide execution.?

For both the plan-based and incremental approach, insight into the current state of the application landscape is crucial. Where the plan-based approach aims to create a holistic view of the future state, the incremental scenario lets insight into the future state evolve over time. For the organic approach, insight into the current and future state should only be created as appropriate.

Activities checklist

Initial:

  • Together with the key-stakeholders, choosing the optimal execution approach?
  • Analysing and assessing the current application landscape?
  • Capturing the analysis and assessment in a maintainable form?
  • Identifying the future state of the application landscape?
  • Depending on the chosen approach, identify high priority and/or valuable innovation migration candidates. If required, draft the detailed business case?
  • Creating a multi-disciplinary cloud transformation roadmap?
  • Create the governance structures to secure execution of the cloud strategy?
  • Request required budget for the transition

Recurring:

  • Maintaining the landscape analysis and assessment data?
  • Periodically reassessing temporary landing zones?
  • Maintaining the cloud roadmap in line with progress

RASCI

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