Three steps to assess your current cloud migration status
If you have already started the cloud migration process, it is important that you know what level you are at. This will help you identify areas where you need to improve and prioritize your efforts. To carry out an effective evaluation, you must follow these three essential steps:
Step 1: Define your cloud maturity
Cloud maturity is a metric that reflects how your organization has integrated cloud services into IT operations and how much value is derived from them. A higher level of maturity indicates a more effective and efficient use of cloud services, resulting in a positive impact on business results.
To define this level of maturity, you can use a Cloud Maturity Model (CMM), which is a framework that describes the different stages of cloud adoption, along with the distinctive characteristics of each phase.
There are different versions of CMMs, but in general, they define five stages of cloud maturity. These are:
- 1. Ad-hoc: At this stage, organizations begin to use cloud services in an isolated and unplanned manner, according to the needs of the moment. There is no overarching strategy for its use, which often causes security, cost, and performance issues.
- 2. Opportunistic: Here organizations adopt a more strategic view of the cloud. They identify use cases that could benefit from this technology and begin planning their migration. There is a tendency to use cloud services in a more standardized way and to develop processes for their management.
- 3. Repeatable: In this phase, organizations have a well-defined cloud strategy and use services in a standardized way. They have established processes for cloud management and perform controls to ensure security and performance. At this point, they begin to realize tangible benefits from the cloud, such as reduced costs and improved agility.
- 4. Managed: Organizations outsource cloud management to a specialized service provider. This allows them to focus on their business goals while the provider manages the cloud. At this stage, they have reached a high level of cloud maturity and are taking full advantage of the benefits of the cloud.
- 5. Optimized: In the optimized stage, organizations are constantly refining their use of the cloud. This means looking for new ways to take advantage of cloud services, reduce costs, and improve performance. In this phase, organizations are at the forefront of cloud adoption and maximizing its potential.
Implementing a CMM gives you the ability to understand where you are specifically in your cloud journey. Additionally, it provides you with information about the challenges and benefits associated with each stage, as well as best practices and recommended actions to successfully advance to the next phase. This strategic approach facilitates continuous optimization and effective progress.
Cloud Native Maturity Matrix from Container Solutions
Step 2: Define your future goals
After having established cloud maturity, it is time to specify the future objectives that will guide this evolutionary process. These objectives should closely align with your organization's business goals and reflect the benefits and opportunities you seek to realize through the transition to the cloud.
Some common goals include:
- Technological modernization: The goal is to update legacy systems and applications to take advantage of the latest cloud technologies and capabilities, such as scalability, elasticity, automation, and innovation.
- Cost savings: The goal is to reduce IT costs and optimize the use of resources by adopting a pay-per-use model, paying only for what is used and when it is used.
- Security adoption: Seeks to improve security posture and resilience by leveraging integrated cloud features and services, such as encryption, identity and access management, firewalls, and monitoring.
To define these objectives, it is recommended to use the SMART approach, which means that they should be:
- S - Specific: They must clearly indicate what you want to accomplish and why.
- M - Measurable: They need to be quantifiable and establish how progress and results will be monitored and evaluated objectively.
- A - Achievable: They must be realistic and achievable, considering the available resources and limitations.
- R - Realistic: They must align with business goals and priorities, ensuring they add value to the organization.
- T - On time: A deadline must be set for the objectives and stages defined throughout the process.
Step 3: Implement cloud best practices
The final step in assessing your current cloud migration status is to apply best practices. These practices refer to proven methods and techniques that facilitate the secure, reliable, and efficient design, implementation, and management of cloud workloads. By following these guidelines, you can avoid common mistakes and ensure that your cloud investment is maximized.
One of the tools that can help you apply best practices in the cloud is the Well-Architected Framework. This set of guidelines and principles provides guidance for building and operating high-quality cloud systems. The Well-Architected Framework is based on six fundamental pillars:
- Operational excellence: The ability to manage and monitor systems effectively, continually improving processes and procedures.
- Security: Protect information and systems against unauthorized access and threats, and comply with regulations and standards.
- Reliability: Perform intended functions, recover from failures, and meet customer and user demands.
- Performance: Deliver fast and consistent results, adapting to changing requirements and conditions.
- Cost optimization: Minimize and control costs, maximizing the value of resources and services.
- Sustainability: Reduce environmental impact, and support social and ethical objectives.
The Well-Architected Framework presents questions and best practices for each pillar, guiding you in evaluating and improving your cloud architecture. You can use the Well-Architected Framework to review existing workloads, design new ones, or compare different cloud providers and services. It is available for various cloud platforms, such as:
- AWS Well-Architected Framework.
- Azure Well-Architected Framework.
- Google Cloud Architecture Framework.
Leverage the benefits of the cloud with the help of an expert partner
Cloud migration is a complex and challenging process, but is also full of opportunities. By evaluating your current state in this evolution, you can better understand your needs and objectives, identify challenges and opportunities for improvement, and develop a strategy that allows you to move forward successfully.
At Acid Labs, we are cloud experts. We can help you assess your current state, define your goals, implement best practices, and overcome challenges. By choosing us as your technological partner, you benefit from:
- Experience and knowledge: We have a team of professionals with extensive experience in the cloud, who can help you understand the complexities of this technology and develop a strategy that fits your specific needs.
- Holistic approach: We approach cloud adoption from a holistic perspective, considering all aspects of your organization, from culture and processes to infrastructure and services.
- Ongoing support: We accompany you throughout the cloud adoption process, providing you with support and advice so you can achieve your goals.
If you want to know more about how we can help you accelerate your migration to the cloud, contact us!
Publication date: January 31, 2024.
