How to master cloud migration and thrive in the digital age
By Paul Campbell, Head of Cloud, Daemon
It may be hard to remember a pre-Covid world, where office workers went in every day (except of course the magical “snow days”!). While the strict lockdown rules may now be relaxed, the impact they have had on our ways of living and working still very much remain. Those of us working in the tech world remember all too clearly the scramble (and excitement) of adjusting the business’ IT to accommodate a remote working environment. However, we couldn’t predict the extent to which things still haven’t died down in terms of innovation in this space, as remote and hybrid work has become the norm.
Our Digital Transformation report revealed that 94% of businesses have propelled their digital transformation endeavours over the past couple of years. In this context, migrating to the cloud has shifted from a desirable feature to an absolute necessity for businesses aspiring to maintain a competitive edge.
By transitioning to cloud platforms, companies unlock a realm of innovative capabilities, enhance their agility, and curtail operational costs.
Embarking on this cloud journey is an exhilarating chapter. The transition from physical data centres to the cloud comes with its set of challenges, from strategic planning considerations to intricate technical aspects. However, maintaining a strong connection with stakeholders throughout this process is paramount. Fostering an open and transparent relationship ensures that stakeholders place their trust in the journey, even when hurdles emerge.
The importance of alignment
Stakeholder synergy stands as the cornerstone in propelling triumph in every cloud migration venture. The crux of digital transformation project setbacks often boils down to disharmony among key stakeholders.
To overcome these obstacles, organisations must veer away from siloed decision-making and instead nurture a culture of teamwork and unified aspiration. Crafting a collective “North Star” unites stakeholders, and charts a definite course for the cloud migration odyssey. This shared vision operates as a guiding beacon, ensuring that all parties rally towards a common objective, fully comprehending the rewards and results anticipated from the migration journey.
During the cloud migration process, mistakes and setbacks may occur. Yet, the key lies in commemorating triumphs accomplished along the way. It’s essential to celebrate successes as a unified team, acknowledging the achievements along the journey.
It’s important to set up crystal-clear, frequent communication avenues that keep stakeholders notified about the headway, challenges, and decisions taken on the way. By regularly sharing updates and tending to concerns or queries, organisations can nurture a bond of trust, candour, and active involvement among stakeholders.
Empowering employees
Just as aligning stakeholders is a must, connecting with staff is equally vital. They’re the true engine behind any successful cloud migration endeavour, and they deserve a front seat on this journey.
Organisations consider rolling out extensive training and empowerment strategies to ensure employees are embedded in the process. Though this, organisations can equip their workforce with the must-have skills and know-how to sail smoothly through the uncharted waters of the cloud. This paves the way for employees to wholeheartedly welcome change, skilfully leverage cloud services, fine-tune workflows, turbocharge productivity, and ignite the flames of innovation. With this fresh mastery, employees transform into cloud navigators extraordinaire, propelling the organisation into unexplored realms of achievement.
An impeccably crafted training regimen empowers employees with the swagger and skill to warmly welcome change. It not only unveils the cloud’s treasure trove of value and perks but also sweeps away any shadows of doubt or misinformation. When employees are finely tuned through top-notch training, they transform into cloud champions, inspiring fellow teammates to jump on the innovation bandwagon. This ripple effect ignites a vibrant culture shift, where positivity and progress reign supreme.
Roadmap for the future
Once solid connections are forged with stakeholders and the team is geared up for the cloud adventure, it’s the moment as a business leader to spring into action. The magic lies in crafting a tailored solution that syncs seamlessly – known as design thinking.
This strategy serves as a well-orchestrated pathway to unlock innovation. By diving deep into the needs of those involved, this approach works through a dynamic duo: the five-step process and the three ‘lenses,’ unveiling the true gold in the solutions leaders are itching to put into action.
Embracing design thinking, coupled with embracing a Migration Readiness Assessment (MRA), charts the perfect course for cloud triumph. This assessment is like a full-spectrum check up, delving into everything from security to governance and giving those weak spots a firm power-up.
With meticulous planning, a zest for upskilling, and rock-solid alignment with stakeholders, you’re on track to breeze through cloud complexities and bid farewell to any lingering doubts. The cloud isn’t just a stopover; it’s your turbocharged ticket to steer your organisation toward success in this digital era.
