Traditionally, systems are Build to Last, but business is going through Continuous Transformation and so should the IT support it. With multiple choices for cloud services, it is desired to have Loose Coupling with your cloud choices so as to keep IT flexible to changing business demands driven by cost, changing landscape (like recent pandemic), service quality. Hence cloud strategy (private, public, hybrid) should have close working with its service providers but avoid lock-in's.

Adopting cloud services (private or public) and/or data center modernization is driven by ease of use and cost benefits. This cost can be further optimized by matching the right workload to right cloud type. Compliance (including governance, security and control) is also key deciding factor in the equation. Reading the terms and policy, analyze long term predictive cost (TCO and ROI) prior to cloud journey is an important factor to avoid pitfalls when using Cloud.

Rate of evolution of cloud (types, footprint, list of services etc.) is dramatically progressing. Cloud strategy needs to be flexible to leverage this evolution to tackle business demands and unexpected changes (like pandemics). This needs to be driven by team of cloud strategists and experts comprising of stakeholders from IT, Business, Vendors, Partners etc. This is not a Day 1 deliverable but long-term initiative for IT to remain competent and move from driving cost to driving business.