Whether it involves reducing IT overhead costs or jump-starting key business projects, the benefits and opportunities offered by cloud computing are seemingly endless. However, tapping into these benefits requires more than just a pure focus on technology. There’s also a human element that CIOs must be mindful of. Fostering a complete embrace of cloud computing that drives business success throughout the organization requires a three-pronged approach.

Cloud Strategy and Architecture Group

The cloud strategy and architecture group is the first prong in this three-pronged approach to cloud adoption. This team is tasked with the formation of the organization’s cloud strategy, including tasks such as defining the scope of its cloud initiative, its desired business outcomes, and what elements of the organization’s current IT architecture should be migrated and to where. For instance, the team will develop the framework for migrating certain applications and services to the public or private cloud.

In addition to these tasks, the cloud strategy and architecture group may also be tasked with the following:

• Developing new standards and management roles for building new cloud applications
• Developing the framework for resilient computing within the cloud environment
• Creating standards for cloud application user interfaces

Although the team won’t be directly responsible for delivering cloud applications, they’ll have significant input as to how and where the delivery management team implements those applications within the cloud environment.

Cloud Product Manager

The cloud product manager (CPM) is the second prong in the three-pronged approach. Just as the typical product manager is responsible for the tools and processes needed for employees to remain productive, the CPM is in charge of managing the organization’s cloud products and services. For instance, it’s up to the CPM to decide which services are exposed on the private or public cloud, how cloud security measures are implemented, and how cloud services should evolve as time goes on. The key tasks performed by the cloud product manager fall under the jurisdiction of the service management office, thereby ensuring IT service continuity.

IT Finance

Last but not least is IT finance, which plays a critical role in cloud computing that CIOs shouldn’t overlook. Working in concert with the planning and governance office, the IT finance team aids cloud product managers by laying out company expenses and revenue outlooks through profit and loss statements. The team’s expertise and guidance plays a major role in determining the organization’s direction with respect to public and private cloud capabilities.

The IT finance team’s oversight and assistance are also crucial for optimizing costs in areas of the cloud environment where different rules may apply. For instance, measures to optimize costs within the private cloud may not be as effective within the public cloud due to fundamental architecture and application differences.

The three-pronged approach to cloud computing success is important for CIOs, and will inform how they approach other aspects such as data centers. To learn more about these roles and how eXemplify can help guide your company along the road to success, contact us today.