Cloud Implementation Teams: Obtain a practical understanding of day-to-day challenges and the tools needed to overcome them.

Executives Interested in Cloud Adoption: Explore high-level issues and strategies to align cloud adoption with organizational objectives.

Cloud Adoption Managers: Delve into operational challenges and management practices essential for successful cloud adoption.

Cloud Adoption Engineers: Gain technical insights into cloud adoption, including pitfalls and their resolutions.

Cloud Architects: Learn about architectural frameworks and design principles that ensure scalable and resilient cloud adoption strategies.

Cloud Security Managers: Understand the security implications of cloud adoption and how to address vulnerabilities effectively.

When goals and outcomes documentation does not exist?

The absence of documented goals, requirements, and outcomes for a cloud adoption program is a significant concern I always prioritize when beginning work with a new client. Such documentation is essential, as it reflects the organization's thorough understanding of its own needs, the demands of its departments, and the expectations of its stakeholders before embarking on cloud adoption activities. By taking the time to explore, capture, analyze, and prioritize these elements, an organization lays a strong foundation for the success of its cloud adoption program.

When business departments' and stakeholders' objectives and outcomes are documented, initiating or planning a cloud adoption program becomes straightforward, with well-defined and prioritized goals. 

Identifying the relevant organizational stakeholders who should be involved in the cloud adoption process is a critical step. It demonstrates that the cloud adoption team has a clear roadmap for implementing the organization's cloud strategy. Including stakeholders in this process not only fosters their engagement but also ensures they have a vested interest in the success of the cloud adoption program. It's crucial to remember that the success of the cloud adoption initiative is a shared responsibility across the organization, not just a task for the cloud adoption team. A major red flag arises when stakeholders are poorly identified or there is a lack of engagement and regular communication throughout the cloud adoption process.

Failing to engage stakeholders in the cloud adoption process can lead to severe repercussions. Requirements, goals, and outcomes may be overlooked or identified too late in the program, causing delays as these elements are incorporated. The program may stall as it undergoes additional rounds of planning to accommodate these late inputs, leading to churn and disruption. If this cycle repeats frequently, the program can become stagnant, with little progress, missed deadlines, budget overruns, and a loss of confidence in the cloud adoption team by all stakeholders.

A significant challenge to successful cloud adoption is failing to thoroughly investigate, identify, and document all stakeholder requirements, expectations, objectives, and desired outcomes. This crucial step is necessary to ensure complete segments of the cloud adoption program, stakeholder satisfaction, and disruptions caused by the late inclusion of essential requirements, goals, and outcomes. Without clearly documented stakeholder objectives and needs, there is no clear path for planning, no comprehensive understanding of the cloud adoption process, and no accurate grasp of the associated budgets, timelines, or complexities. This lack of clarity inevitably hampers the ability to keep stakeholders informed about progress, leading to confusion and a higher likelihood of project failure.

However, as previously mentioned, it is essential to recognize that stakeholder discovery can be partially completed at the outset. The cloud adoption program can be structured to accommodate ongoing discovery and integration of stakeholder inputs throughout the process. This flexibility ensures that all goals, requirements, and outcomes from stakeholders are eventually incorporated into the overall program without requiring every detail to be gathered up front. The ultimate objective is to ensure that all stakeholder needs are understood and addressed within the program’s framework.

Where do goals and outcomes fit in the cloud adoption program? 

Establishing and documenting organizational goals is a critical step in the strategy phase of any cloud adoption program. While this blog series will explore the comprehensive journey of cloud adoption in greater depth, it’s essential to recognize the significance of capturing and evaluating these goals early in the process. Cloud adoption is a complex and multi-faceted endeavor, with many moving parts extending beyond a single post's scope. However, understanding where the documentation of goals and outcomes fits within the broader program is essential for laying a solid foundation for success.

In the initial stages of a cloud adoption program, there are six key domains, each representing a group of activities that can co-occur or in various sequences. These domains include strategy and planning, discovery and assessment, design and architecture, implementation and migration, operations and optimization, and governance and compliance. The first domain involves the strategy, discovery, capture, evaluation, prioritization, and documentation of organizational goals and outcomes. This phase is among the earliest and most crucial steps in the cloud adoption journey, setting the stage for all subsequent activities.

These early efforts ensure that the cloud adoption program aligns with the organization's strategic objectives, providing a clear direction for the transformation. Organizations can avoid common pitfalls by meticulously identifying and documenting goals at this stage, such as misaligning IT initiatives with business priorities (e.g., focusing on cost reduction without considering the impact on service quality) or scope creep (e.g., expanding the scope of the project beyond the initial objectives). This alignment also facilitates better decision-making throughout the cloud adoption process, providing a reference point against which all actions can be measured.

In upcoming posts, we will delve deeper into the end-to-end cloud adoption journey, examining each of the six domains in detail. For now, it is essential to grasp the foundational role that the identification and documentation of organizational goals play in the success of a cloud adoption program. This initial focus clarifies the objectives and drives the prioritization of resources and efforts, ensuring that the cloud adoption strategy delivers tangible value aligned with the organization's overall mission.

How to capture goals and outcomes.

When embarking on a public cloud adoption program, capturing and prioritizing goals and outcomes is a critical step that involves a structured and collaborative discovery process. This process is essential to ensure alignment between business objectives and the supporting technical solutions. Engaging with stakeholders across the organization is a pivotal part of this discovery, as it helps bridge the gap between business aspirations and technical execution. The following section outlines a detailed approach to performing this discovery with stakeholders, focusing on effective communication, appropriate tools, and structuring the engagement for maximum impact.

In the following text, you will learn a step-by-step approach to identifying and engaging stakeholders for a cloud adoption initiative within an organization. The text outlines a systematic process, beginning with understanding the organizational structure and gathering essential information, then progressing through collaboration with HR and corporate communications, engaging IT leadership, and identifying business unit leaders. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing internal influencers and champions, analyzing existing projects, and conducting thorough stakeholder mapping. The process also includes leveraging external consultants and vendors, hosting workshops and meetings, and iteratively refining the stakeholder list to ensure comprehensive engagement throughout the project. By following these steps, you will be equipped to manage the stakeholder landscape effectively, aligning organizational goals with the cloud adoption strategy.

Step 1: Understand the Organizational Structure

• Gather Organizational Information

•  Obtain Org Charts:  Request the latest organizational charts from HR or use internal systems (e.g., SharePoint, Intranet).

•  Identify Key Departments:  Note all significant departments (e.g., IT, Finance, Legal, Sales, Marketing, and Operations).

•  Identify Leadership Roles

• List Executive Leadership:  Include CEO, CIO, CTO, CFO, CMO, and other C-level executives.

• Map Reporting Lines:  Trace the reporting structure to understand the influence of each leader.

• Document Findings

•  Create a Document or spreadsheet: List all departments and their heads, including contact information and direct reports where applicable.

Step 2: Collaborate with HR and Corporate Communications

• Engage HR

•  Schedule a Meeting: Arrange a meeting with HR to discuss the cloud adoption initiative and its potential impact across the organization.

• Request Detailed Role Information: Ask HR for detailed role descriptions, focusing on roles that the cloud transition may impact.

• Engage Corporate Communications

• Identify Internal Influencers:  Request insights from Corporate Communications on individuals who influence company-wide initiatives.

• Develop Communication Plans: Work with them to develop a plan to introduce the cloud adoption initiative to the broader organization.

• Update Stakeholder List

•  Refine Your Spreadsheet:  Add any additional stakeholders or influencers identified during these discussions.

Step 3: Engage IT Leadership

• Initial IT Leadership Meeting

•  Set Up Meetings:  Meet with the CIO, CTO, and heads of IT departments (e.g., Infrastructure, Security, Development).

• Discuss Cloud Impact:  Understand how cloud adoption impacts their teams and who within their departments would be critical to involve.

Identify Key IT Roles

• Architects & Engineers:  Identify cloud architects, network engineers, and other technical leads.

• Security & Compliance:  Identify those responsible for security, compliance, and data governance.

• Document IT Stakeholders:

• Update Spreadsheet: List IT stakeholders, their roles, potential concerns, and interests.

Step 4: Identify Business Unit Leaders

• Engage Business Leaders:

•  Schedule Meetings:  Arrange meetings with heads of critical business units (e.g., Sales, Marketing, Operations).

• Understand Business Goals:  Discuss how cloud adoption aligns with or impacts their strategic objectives.

• Focus on Revenue-Generating Units:

• Identify Critical Stakeholders: Attention departments like Sales and Customer Service, where cloud solutions could drive significant changes.

• Document Business Stakeholders:

• Update Spreadsheet: Add business unit leaders and their direct reports who will likely be affected or are interested in cloud adoption.

Step 5: Seek Out Influencers and Champions

• Identify Internal Innovators:

• Ask for Recommendations: During meetings, ask each leader to identify employees who have championed previous technology initiatives.

• Use Social Networks: Utilize internal social platforms (e.g., Yammer, Slack) to identify vocal employees who are respected for their technical expertise or innovative mindset.

• Document Influencers:

• Update Spreadsheet:  List these individuals as potential champions or advocates for cloud adoption.

Step 6: Analyze Existing Projects and Initiatives

• Review Current Initiatives:

• Examine Project Lists: Look at active IT and business projects that might be impacted by or benefit from cloud technology.

• Identify Project Leads: Document the project managers and sponsors involved in these initiatives.

• Identify Pain Points:

• Gather Insights: During meetings, ask about any current pain points or limitations in existing infrastructure that cloud adoption could address.

• Document Related Stakeholders:

• Update Spreadsheet: Add the stakeholders related to these projects, noting their concerns or potential benefits from the cloud transition.

Step 7: Conduct Stakeholder Mapping

• Categorize Stakeholders:

•  Use a RACI Matrix: Based on their roles, categorize stakeholders into responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed groups.

•  Create a Stakeholder Map: Visualize stakeholders based on their influence, interest, and potential impact on the cloud adoption project.

• Prioritize Stakeholders:

•  Rank by Influence and Impact: Prioritize stakeholders with the highest influence and potential impact on the cloud initiative.

• Document the Mapping:

•  Create Visual Maps: Use tools like Lucidchart, Miro, or Excel to create visual stakeholder maps for easy reference.

Step 8: Leverage External Consultants or Vendors

• Engage Cloud Vendors:

• Schedule Vendor Meetings: If using a cloud vendor, arrange a meeting to discuss stakeholder identification. They often have templates and best practices.

• Request Insights: Ask for their experience with similar organizations to identify potential stakeholders you may have missed.

• Consult with External Experts:

• Use Consultants: If using consultants, involve them in stakeholder identification. They might offer tools and methodologies that can refine your list.

• Update Stakeholder List:

• Refine Spreadsheet: Integrate any additional stakeholders identified through these external resources.

Step 9: Host Initial Workshops or Meetings

• Organize Stakeholder Workshops:

• Invite Key Stakeholders: Arrange workshops where you gather all identified stakeholders to introduce the cloud adoption program.

• Facilitate Discussions: Use these workshops to discuss concerns, goals, and the potential impact of cloud adoption.

• Conduct Town Hall Meetings:

• Broader Engagement: Consider town hall meetings to reach a wider audience, providing a forum for general feedback and additional stakeholder identification.

• Document Additional Stakeholders:

• Update Spreadsheet:* Add any new stakeholders identified during these workshops or town hall meetings.

Step 10: Iterative Refinement

• Continuous Engagement:

•  Regularly Review the List: As the project progresses, regularly review and update the stakeholder list to ensure its accuracy.

• Establish a Feedback Loop:

• Create a Suggestion Mechanism: Allow stakeholders to recommend others who should be involved, ensuring no key stakeholders are overlooked.

• Document and Communicate Updates:

•  Keep Documentation Current: Regularly update your stakeholder documentation and share it with relevant project teams.