What are the most effective strategies for cloud managers and leaders?

1 Cloud governance

Cloud governance is the set of policies, processes, and controls that ensure the alignment of cloud activities with the business objectives, compliance requirements, and best practices of the organization. Cloud managers and leaders need to establish a clear cloud governance framework that defines the roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities of the cloud stakeholders, the cloud service models and providers, the cloud standards and guidelines, and the cloud performance and risk indicators. A well-defined cloud governance framework can help cloud managers and leaders to ensure consistency, quality, efficiency, and transparency of cloud operations, as well as to mitigate cloud risks and resolve cloud issues.

2 Cloud security

Cloud security is the protection of cloud data, applications, and infrastructure from unauthorized access, misuse, or damage. Cloud managers and leaders need to implement a comprehensive cloud security strategy that covers the physical, network, application, and data layers of the cloud environment, as well as the human and organizational aspects of cloud security. A robust cloud security strategy can help cloud managers and leaders to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of cloud resources, as well as to comply with the relevant regulations and standards. Cloud managers and leaders also need to monitor and audit the cloud security posture and performance, and to respond to any cloud security incidents or breaches.

3 Cloud skills

Cloud skills are the competencies and capabilities that enable cloud professionals to design, develop, deploy, manage, and optimize cloud solutions. Cloud managers and leaders need to assess the current and future cloud skills needs of their teams and organizations, and to provide adequate training, coaching, and mentoring to their cloud staff. A strong cloud skills strategy can help cloud managers and leaders to build and retain a talented and diverse cloud workforce, as well as to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Cloud managers and leaders also need to update their own cloud skills and knowledge, and to demonstrate their cloud leadership and vision.

5 Cloud collaboration

Cloud collaboration is the communication and cooperation among the cloud stakeholders, both internally and externally, to achieve common cloud objectives and results. Cloud managers and leaders need to facilitate and promote cloud collaboration activities that involve the cloud users, customers, providers, partners, and regulators, and that leverage the cloud tools and platforms. A productive cloud collaboration strategy can help cloud managers and leaders to improve the cloud quality and satisfaction, as well as to build trust and rapport with the cloud community. Cloud managers and leaders also need to participate and contribute to the cloud collaboration forums and networks, and to share and learn from the cloud best practices and experiences.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?