Five best practices for a Cloud Implementation

There's no doubt that software as a service (SaaS) makes great sense for almost any business. The following points are best practices that will help your organization strive for excellence during a Cloud Implementaiton.

1. Focus in your core need:

To do a cloud implementation follow a simple plan that focuses on the the specific processes the implementation will tarket. Make an inventory and plan with solutions in mind, setting aside the "nice-to-haves". Trying to focus in every nonessenstial process or functionality will only add complexity to the project, delays, scope creeps and additional costs. Be firm in your project parameters to communicate clear expectations to to stakeholders and employees.

2. Embrace change

For many companies "Change Management" really means controlled chaos. The second way to successfully implement SaaS is to help your team welcome major change. Be sure business stakeholders and implementation teams have approval criteria and provide transparent updates on progress, setbacks, staffing news, and next steps to head off misinformation or rumors.

3. Empower a team of heroes

To successfully have a Cloud Implementation give the right people decision-making power. Long decision cycles may be harmfull for your project. This particular pain point not only wastes time, it reinforces an inefficient vertical structures. Make it clear to your imepmentationt eam and ackowledge that every decision team leader wont be perfect, but should always follow the company values and mission.

4. Connect the company through a common language

Engage and align every team involved before starting a cloud implementation. A major cloud project can potentially involve every department and person, so it becomes critical to seek and understant the needs acroos every cros-department need.

5. Plan and rehearse your go-live support

The last step considered inside a cloud implementation is being 100 "Ready for action" as one of the biggest mistakes of any Cloud implementation is not anticipating or planning for the full range of potential pitfalls during the go-live event. Successful teams over-prepare this area, going beyond what might be reasonable. You can always trim back resources, but catching up from behind poses greater risks to business continuity.

Take advantage of interdepartmental partnerships by inviting stakeholders to brainstorming sessions and uncover any possible problem scenario that might arise during go-live. Then put support in place in response to those scenarios.

Follow these steps and you will emerge successfully with a strong team, productive new technology and satisfied users and stakeholders.