Did you know that in 2021, cloud computing services generated £300 billion ($482 billion) in revenue? With benefits such as improved flexibility and sustainability, it's perhaps no surprise.
However, organisations don’t always enjoy smooth sailing with their cloud migrations. Indeed, one report found that 74 percent of companies moved an application back from the cloud onto their own infrastructure.
To ensure your migration is a scintillating success, there are three key stages you'll need to follow. Each stage is covered in our Azure Foundations assessment which you can check out here.
Let's explore them now.
Stage 1: Audit and readiness check
First, you'll want to assess your current environment and cloud readiness.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- What resources (including budget) do you have for the migration?
- What does your existing infrastructure look like? This entails examining your servers and databases, Virtual Machines, and more.
- What does your governance environment look like? For example, map out your current IT processes around security, performance management, and value delivery.
- What is your current level of cloud readiness?
- Which parts of your IT do you want to move to the cloud, and which can stay where they are? (After all, it's wise to consider a hybrid strategy.)
Stage 2: Analysis and learnings
The results of the audit now need going over with a fine-tooth comb. It's about understanding what your environment looks like, and then building a migration plan.
Specifically, this includes:
- Understanding potential blockers of your cloud migration. For example, skill gaps or timeline challenges.
- Deconstructing the migration into manageable tasks.
- Setting performance metrics so you can track progress.
- Analysing your IT, and building a plan. This includes your network, virtual infrastructure, hardware and software usage, and more.
Stage 3: Task prioritisation
So, you now know the tasks you'll need to complete – that's great. However, without a prioritised roadmap based on what delivers the best ROI vs cost, you'll risk thwarting your migration.
Here, you need to work out the cost and expected ROI of migration for each task. Based on this information, you can then understand your options and prioritise your tasks. If you're doing this without support from experienced partners, you can use your own prioritisation system. For example, assign an importance score for each task from one to five.
As an example, an HR application that your team rarely uses and looks costly to migrate might move to the bottom of the list.
Armed with cost estimates and prioritised tasks, you'll also find it easier to clarify the financial importance of the migration and get stakeholder buy-in.
Build the foundations for your cloud migration strategy
Just like building a house, you'll want to ensure you have the foundations in place to give your cloud migration every chance of success.
Thankfully, applying the three stages we've covered provides a solid framework.
Your chances will look better still if you partner up with those who have been there and done it before. So, why not take advantage of our totally free Azure Foundations assessment offer? It takes only a week to complete and provides a total roadmap for your migration.
Head over to this page to learn more.
Share
