The cloud is taking business by storm. In fact, due to the extraordinary growth of the cloud, it has been described as a tornado, not a fluffy white floating object! Commercial research analysts consider cloud as one of the most significant trends with a potential to change the whole global IT industry. Governments, including those in the US, Britain, and Australia, have cloud-first policies now in place which mandate cloud over non-cloud services in ICT procurement.
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But CIOs and other senior executives, while it's on the majority of their agendas, aren't sure what it really means for their organisations - how to leverage the benefits, control the commercials, manage the business risk, and adapt their organisations.
While it is important to set requirements, negotiate commercials and sign the contract it is also critical that we develop a clear plan for ‘Moving to the Cloud’ which realigns our business architecture, organization and most importantly our people.
This course provides the answers that management must know to be successful and realise the benefits:
• Where should I go cloud?
• What are the commercials?
• Where is my leverage?
• How do I realign my business practices and architecture?
• How do I gear up my people and structure my organisation?
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction
Thank you for joining us in Moving to the Cloud! We begin your first week of this course by bringing you up to speed on all things cloud. This includes the cycles of disruptive technology cycle, the history of cloud and the terminology that is currently in use. We will also introduce some fundamental cloud computing concepts including what cloud computing is and how it works. We are delighted that Professor Leslie Willcocks from the London School of Economics and Vince Kellen form the University of California (San Diego) will be joining us for guest lectures. We also have a debate on whether the cloud is the end of traditional IT outsourcing. Make sure to check out what your peers have said!
WEEK 2
Cloud Adoption
Welcome to the second week of Moving to the Cloud! In this module we will look at cloud adoption. First, from a macro perspective and then from the perspective of individual cases and experts. Our special guest interviewees are from Accenture, the Cloud Standards Customer Council, the Australian Taxation Office, and more. We will examine cloud computing in practice and common challenges for cloud buyers and sellers alike. We’ll also take a look at cloud first policies and some of the crucial first steps towards conducting your own due diligence when embarking on cloud computing projects.
WEEK 3
Cloud Commercials
Welcome to week three! At the end of this week you will be half way through the course. In this module we will become familiar with the commercial aspects of cloud. We will explore cloud contracts and the specific clauses to watch out for. Then we’ll take a look at some common KPIs in a cloud SLA and what they mean for the business. Some of our previous guest lecturers will also return to share their insights and experience. Lastly, we will investigate the complexity of pricing in cloud configurations and the different vendor charging models.
WEEK 4
Getting Ready to Move
Welcome to the fourth week! This module is all about getting ready to move the cloud! There is more to moving to the cloud than signing the contract. We need to prepare our organization and muster our people. First, we will introduce: a model for managing the process of change and a capability maturity framework for assessing the “as-is” and “to-be” organizational states. Second, we shall explore the different areas of strategy, architecture, processes, structure, governance and relationships - organizational areas that need to be considered when taking advantage of the cloud. We will also have a couple of student presentations on the differences between cloud and traditional on premise, and generic principals for the adoption of cloud computing technology.
WEEK 5
On the Move
Welcome to the fifth week! This module explores the importance of planning, involving stakeholders and identifying then managing relationships within organizations. We learn to develop a change agenda, identify critical success factors, and discuss the management practices required to navigate challenges that may surface. We also introduce a proven methodology for undertaking change projects and close with three student presentations that provide a uniquely different context to what is covered in the lectures.
WEEK 6
Arriving in the Cloud
Welcome to the final week! We have had such an exciting journey learning about all things cloud! We have explored the adoption and commercial issues and redesigned the way we think about the challenges from different points of view. In this module we learn the journey is far from over and we consider how we can consolidate new ways of working into a cloud culture. We explore the importance of ongoing communication, building awareness, as well as barriers, enablers, tips and traps for making sure the cloud journey becomes fully institutionalized. Additionally, we have two student presentations and finish with an interview with Anthony Wong, President of the Australian Computer Society.
