Surely you're going to the cloud or are already part-way there. But do you have a clear strategy, one that makes meaningful decisions, those that imply conscious trade-offs? How do you connect business outcomes with technology choices that involve several hundred available services and endless configuration options?

This book is the result of developing cloud strategies for major clients. Most available books were either extremely high-level or got lost in product details, so I wrote one that helps you develop a cloud strategy that is supported by decision models as opposed to empty buzzwords.

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A Decision-based Approach to Cloud Strategy

A strategy isn't something you can copy-paste from a recipe book or from another organization. Diverse starting points, objectives, and constraints imply different choices and trade-offs. In addition, a cloud strategy doesn't just consider technical change but also includes close alignment across business, organization, and technology. This book questions existing assumptions ("Running software you didn't build is a bad deal") and presents technology-neutral decision models ("8 ways to slice the hybrid cloud") ideally suited to defining and communicating a well-thought-out migration journey.

Contents

Based on the author's extensive experience taking large organizations to the cloud, 32 Chapters highlight options, decisions, and trade-offs - the core elements of any strategy. These mental models come to life in real-life anecdotes and examples:

• Part 1: Understanding the Cloud - Cloud is very different from traditional IT procurement, so you'll have to rethink the way your IT works.
• Part 2: Organizing for the Cloud - Cloud impacts more than your tech landscape.
• Part 3: Moving to the Cloud - There are many ways to the cloud; please choose wisely.
• Part 4: Architecting the Cloud - Look beyond products and buzzwords for rational decision models.
• Part 5: Building for the Cloud - Applications running on the cloud need to do their part, also.
• Part 6: Embracing the Cloud - To reap the full benefits of cloud, you need to keep moving.

This is the guide that you're going to want to have by your side for your cloud journey.