Cloud Computing Playbook™ Business Discovery Module€¦ · This document is an assessment template supporting the Business ... Cloud Computing Playbook™ Strategy ... AgilePath’s

Copyright ©2010 AgilePath Corporation. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2010 AgilePath Corporation. All rights reserved. AgilePath Corporation Proprietary and Confidential.

Cloud Computing Playbook™Business Discovery Module

A Cloud Computing Assessment Framework

v. 1.0

AgilePath Corporation38 Merrimac StreetNewburyport, MA 01950www.agile-path.comPhone: 978.462.5737

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................................ 2

Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................ 4

1.0 Introduction to Cloud Computing Playbook™...................................................................................... 5

1.1 What is a “Playbook?”........................................................................................................................ 5

1.2 Why a CC Playbook? ......................................................................................................................... 5

1.3 Structure of the CC Playbook............................................................................................................. 6

Cloud Business Discovery.......................................................................................................................... 6

Cloud Strategy Development...................................................................................................................... 6

Cloud Mobilization ..................................................................................................................................... 6

Cloud Implementation ................................................................................................................................ 6

2.0 Cloud Computing Business Discovery Module..................................................................................... 6

2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 7

How to Use the CC-PB Business Discovery Module.................................................................................... 7

Pre-Step 1. Identify Preliminary Scope of Cloud Computing Strategy ....................................................... 8

Pre-Step 2: Identify Cloud Computing Stakeholders in the organization.................................................... 8

2.1 Assess External Business Environment ............................................................................................. 8

2.2 Review Business/Mission and IT Strategies ............................................................................................ 9

2.3 Assess Cloud Computing Strategy (If one exists) ................................................................................... 9

2.4 Perform Cloud Readiness Assessment................................................................................................... 10

2.5 Perform Cloud Maturity Assessment (Using Cloud Adoption Model) ................................................ 10

2.6 Conduct Cloud Computing Reference Model Assessment and Gap Analysis ..................................... 11

2.7 Conduct Cloud POC/Pilots for Early Learning...................................................................................... 11

2.8 ID Cloud Business, Mission, Economic and Technology Drivers........................................................ 11

2.9 ID Cloud Imperatives (Fix it or Else Issues).......................................................................................... 12

2.10 ID Cloud Barriers/Obstacles and Risks................................................................................................ 12

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2.11 ID Cloud Goals or Outcomes: ............................................................................................................. 12

2.11 Complete Cloud Computing Business Discovery Documentation and Recommendations.............. 13

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Executive SummaryThis document is an assessment template supporting the Business Discovery module of the CloudComputing Playbook™. The information required to complete the Cloud Computing Playbook™Business Discovery module can be used stand along as an assessment deliverable, as an input into aCloud Computing Playbook™ Strategy Development Module, or as an input into a Cloud ComputingReference Model (CC-RM) project.

AgilePath’s Cloud Computing Playbook™ is illustrated below.

The Cloud Computing Playbook™ is a comprehensive end-to-end Cloud assessment, planning,architecture and implementation framework. The Cloud Computing Playbook™ builds on and leveragesthe following supporting artifacts and frameworks:

• Cloud Computing Adoption Lifecycle

• Cloud Computing Reference Model (CC-RM)

• CloudSprint™ iterative planning and implementation methodology

• CC-PB templates for each phase of the Cloud Computing Playbook.

This template is focused on the Cloud Computing Business Discovery phase of the Cloud ComputingPlaybook™, and is explained in detail in the sections below.

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1.0 Introduction to Cloud Computing Playbook™

1.1 What is a “Playbook?”A playbook is a methodology framework focused on a particular technology, a strategy or an approach, orimplementation style. A play book is a set of strategies, tactics, and plays that will result in winning insports parlance.

Consider the West Coast Offense in professional football. The West Coast offense is an offensivestrategy predicated on using short, precision passes to create the offense and move the ball. The shortprecision passing approach in effect “stretches out” the defense and opens up opportunities for deeppasses later, as well as open up the traditional running game. The West Coast Offense leverages precisetiming patterns for passing routes, mostly short patterns, to replace the traditional running game. In theWest Coast Offense, the short precision passing plays comprise approximately 65-80% of the offensiveplays.

By way of contract, the traditional ball control offense employed by many teams, notably the New YorkGiants under Bill Parcells, emphasizes running the ball effectively, using play action passing off a solidrunning attack, and strong defense. In a ball control offense, running plays typically account for 60-65%of the offensive plays. The passing attack keys off the run using play action passes.

For a business or technology methodology, a playbook is a defined approach that will be actionable,implementable, and result in a clear set of tactics or “plays” to lead to a defined outcome. AgilePath hasspecialized in developing a variety of Playbooks™ for Service-Oriented Architecture, EnterpriseGovernance, Legacy Modernization, and now Cloud Computing. AgilePath’s Playbook™ approach tomethodology is especially critical for emerging technologies where there are no established planning,architecture or implementation methodologies. Thus, the playbooks provide a strategic businessmethodology for implementing emerging technologies to realize a set of predefined business outcomes.

As with the football metaphor, AgilePath’s family of Playbooks™ emphasize a strategic approach to aparticular problem domain, and help establish a set of concrete actions or plays to result in success.

1.2 Why a CC Playbook?The Cloud Computing Playbook™, illustrated below, is comprised of four phases, with a set of steps oractions in each phase, that will result in a business- or mission-aligned Cloud computing strategy, and aset of actionable and implementable tactics that will lead to successful Cloud computing.

• Supports Cloud strategy and planning: The Cloud Computing Playbook™ first and foremostsupports Cloud strategy and planning, using a repeatable methodology and approach. However,do not fall into the trap of assuming a strategic approach must take a long time to complete. Onthe contrary, because the Playbook steps are pre-defined, you can adapt them to the executionstyle you prefer – a rapid Cloud planning sprint, an enterprise Cloud strategy, or a tactical projectfocused on a particular business or technical problem.

• Aligns business use cases to appropriate Cloud patterns: The Cloud Computing Playbookprovides business and mission alignment for subsequent Cloud implementation steps based onidentified business challenges and clearly articulated business goals or outcomes for Cloudcomputing.

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• Informs decision making processes: The Cloud Computing Playbook provides an end-to-endframework to inform decision making processes for your particular organization. While you maynot necessarily follow every step of the Cloud Computing Playbook™, or you may add additionalsteps that are specific to your organization, the entire methodology provides a repeatableframework to inform decisions and make choices.

• Supports an Enterprise Architecture(EA) and Systems Engineering Approach: The CloudComputing Playbook, augmented by the Cloud Computing Reference Model, provides a soundEnterprise Architecture approach for the realization of Cloud computing. Leveraging CloudModeling, Cloud Architecture and Cloud computing patterns, the Cloud Computing Playbook™will ensure fidelity to an EA approach as well as a systems engineering approach.

1.3 Structure of the CC Playbook

The Cloud Computing Playbook™ is comprised of four modules, which together provide an end-to-endframework for the successful planning, architecture and implementation of Cloud computing to achievepredefined business objectives. The four modules of the Cloud Computing Playbook™ are describedbelow:

Cloud Business DiscoveryThe Cloud Business Discovery phase of the CC-PB provides the basis for a Cloud computing assessmentphase to obtain the necessary strategic and operational context upon which a successful Cloud computingstrategy can be developed. The Cloud Business Discovery module can be used as a stand-alongassessment methodology or as the first step of a Cloud Computing Strategy methodology.

Cloud Strategy DevelopmentThe Cloud Strategy Development phase of the CC-PB Provides the Cloud strategy and roadmapdevelopment planning methodology to facilitate a rapid, business-aligned Cloud computing strategy thatwill result in business success. The Cloud Strategy and Roadmap phase builds on the Cloud BusinessDiscovery activities, incorporates them as inputs into the Cloud Strategy phase.

Cloud MobilizationThe Cloud Mobilization phase of the CC-PB provides assurance that the defined Cloud strategy isrealistic and feasible, and paves the way for mobilization of resources to begin the formal implementationof Cloud computing as defined in the Cloud Strategy and Roadmap. The Cloud Mobilization phase alsoprovisions for Cloud education and awareness, which will create the environment for greater probabilityof Cloud success.

Cloud ImplementationThe Cloud Implementation phase of the CC-PB provides a set of iterative steps to support theimplementation of Cloud Computing based on the defined Cloud Computing Strategy and Roadmap. TheCloud Implementation phase ensures alignment to the Cloud strategy, and provides an iterative repeatableset of activities for a rapid, business-aligned and risk-mitigated Cloud implementation.

2.0 Cloud Computing Business Discovery Module

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2.1 IntroductionThe Cloud Business Discovery phase of the CC-PB provides the basis for a Cloud computing assessmentphase to obtain the necessary strategic and operational context upon which a successful Cloud computingstrategy can be developed. The Cloud Business Discovery module can be used as a stand-alongassessment methodology or as the first step of a Cloud Computing Strategy methodology.

The Cloud Business Discovery phase of the CC-PB is illustrated below in the green shading.

How to Use the CC-PB Business Discovery Module

The following guidelines highlight uses of the Cloud Computing Playbook™ Business DiscoveryModule:

• Stand Alone Cloud Computing Assessment Framework

• As a Cloud Maturity/Cloud Readiness Framework

• As a precursor to a Cloud Computing Strategy development project

• As a health check for periodic reassessments during an Enterprise Cloud project

• As an input into a Cloud Computing Reference Model (CC-RM) and Cloud ComputingReference Architecture (CC-RA) project

The template provides guidelines for gathering of appropriate data that will support a robust, business ormission aligned Cloud Computing strategy, architecture, and implementation.

The Cloud Business Discovery Module can be used at an Enterprise level, at a project level, for anInfrastructure or data center project, or at a program executive office (PEO) level.

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To get started with the Cloud Computing Playbook™ Business Discovery, the following suggested pre-steps should be followed:

Pre-Step 1. Identify Preliminary Scope of Cloud Computing StrategyA critical Cloud Computing Playbook™ pre-step is to develop a preliminary enterprise scope for yourCloud computing strategy and roadmap. Is Cloud focused on the needs of a particular agency, division,operating unit, or is it an Enterprise Cloud Computing Strategy? Based on a Cloud computing scopehypothesis, you can identify key stakeholders of our Cloud Strategy and Roadmap, and then ensure thatyour Cloud strategy incorporates their goals and objectives, while providing a framework to align andreconcile common and diverse interests and requirements.

Pre-Step 2: Identify Cloud Computing Stakeholders in the organizationA key preliminary step to the Cloud Business Discovery module is to identify the key Cloud Computingstakeholders on your organization, by role and title. Documenting key stakeholder will help ensure yourCloud strategy will support the business and technology interests of the enterprise, while prioritizing keyrequirements and managing expectations. The following table may be useful for identifying anddocumenting Cloud stakeholders and their objectives and concerns.

CloudStakeholder

OrganizationRepresented

Cloud Goals andObjectives

Cloud Concernsand Risks

Comments

Business UnitExecutive

Business UnitXXX

CIO

IT OperationsExecutive

DISA

COCOM

OSD NII

AMC

Once you have documented key Cloud stakeholders, you can begin the Cloud Business Discoveryprocesses.

2.1 Assess External Business Environment

Purpose: This section gathers and summarized external environmental context as inputs into the CloudBusiness Discovery Module. The External Business Environment assessment provides macro level ccontext to facilitate an accurate and appropriate Cloud computing Strategy.

Assessing the external business environment involves the following types of activities:

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• Review external busyness and economic conditions

• Review and summarize external technology drivers and conditions

• Review and summarize external mission, security and national defense conditions

• Review and summarize external Federal Government, DoD and Intelligence conditions

• Summarize External Business Environment Findings

2.2 Review Business/Mission and IT StrategiesPurpose: This section summarizes current business, mission and Information technology (IT) strategiesas key inputs into the Cloud computing strategy. This review provides key strategic context for Cloudcomputing.

The following activities are performed in this submodule:

• Review and summarize current Business and Mission Strategies, Goals and Objectives

• Review and summarize IT Strategy

• Include SOA Strategy and alignment

• Include Data strategy and alignment

• Include Enterprise Architecture (EA) strategy, process and alignment

• ID any potential gaps, weaknesses

• Summarize Business, Mission and IT strategies

2.3 Assess Cloud Computing Strategy (If one exists)

Purpose: This section summarizes current business, mission and Information technology (IT) strategiesas key inputs into the Cloud computing strategy. This review provides key strategic context for Cloudcomputing.


• Assess Cloud computing strategy, if one exists

• Determine completeness of Cloud strategy

• Evaluate feasibility of Cloud strategy

• Evaluate technical soundness of Cloud strategy

• Evaluate business and financial viability of Cloud strategy

• Summarize Cloud Strategy Findings

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2.4 Perform Cloud Readiness AssessmentPurpose: This section summarizes evaluates current organizational readiness for Cloud computing basedon its experience and relative success with adjacent and related technologies.


• Determine Cloud readiness based on experience with related initiatives and technologies

o Virtualization technologies

o Data center consolidation

o Infrastructure outsourcing

o SOA enablement

o Distributed Application, Services and Infrastructure Models and Architectures

• Determine Cloud business/mission readiness based on priorities and imperatives

• Determine Cloud economic/financial readiness

• Determine Cloud technical readiness based on current technical imperatives and priorities

• Summarize overall Cloud Readiness

2.5 Perform Cloud Maturity Assessment (Using Cloud Adoption Model)Purpose: This section summarizes relative Cloud computing maturity based on the Cloud AdoptionModel and based on the evaluation of Cloud Readiness in section 2.4.


• Where is the organization on the Cloud Adoption Lifecycle model?

• Does the organization have any POC or pilot project experiences to draw from?

• How mature is the organization by CC-RM submodule?

o Cloud virtualization maturity

o Cloud OS maturity

o Cloud Platform Tier maturity

o Cloud business tier/SaaS maturity

• How mature is the organization in defining SLAs?

• How mature is the organization in monitoring and enforcing SLAs?

• How mature is the organization with co-sourcing, outsourcing models?

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2.6 Conduct Cloud Computing Reference Model Assessment and Gap AnalysisPurpose: This section is a brief assessment of the organization’s maturity against the dimensions of theCC-RM . This section also highlights key gaps in the CC-RM framework.


• Cloud Enablement Model assessment and Gap

• Cloud Deployment model Assessment and Gap

• Cloud Governance and Operations Model Assessment and Gap

• Cloud Ecosystem Model Assessment and Gap

• Overall CC-RM Assessment Summary

2.7 Conduct Cloud POC/Pilots for Early LearningPurpose: This section summarizes any proof of concept (POC) or pilot project activities performed bythe organization, as well as key lessons learned.


• Has there been any Cloud POC/Pilot project activity?

• Describe any relevant Cloud POC/Pilot project activities, their focus or emphasis, and outcomes

• What business, mission, or technical problems were addressed by the POC/Pilot?

• Describe any positive outcomes from the POC/Pilot

• Describe technical challenges or shortfalls experienced from the POC/pilot?

• What key take aways can be leveraged from the POC/Pilot?

• Summarize any Cloud POC/Pilot experiences

2.8 ID Cloud Business, Mission, Economic and Technology DriversPurpose: This section summarizes key drivers for Cloud computing for this organization. Key areas offocus include business drivers, mission drivers, economic/financial drivers and technology drivers.


• Identify key business drivers for Cloud computing

• Identify key mission drivers for Cloud computing

• Identify key economic and financial drivers for Cloud computing

• Identify key technology drives for Clod computing

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2.9 ID Cloud Imperatives (Fix it or Else Issues)Purpose: This section identifies key Cloud imperatives for the organization. Imperatives are the key “fixit or else” challenges that can be completely or partially solved through the successful implementation ofCloud computing.


• Identify key business and mission imperatives

• Identify key financial and economic imperatives

• Identify key process/CONOPs imperatives

• Identify key technology imperatives

• Prioritize Cloud imperatives into those that can be directly addressed via cloud versus thosepartially solved via Cloud computing, or those that cannot be directly addressed with Cloudcomputing

• Summary the Cloud Imperatives list

2.10 ID Cloud Barriers/Obstacles and RisksPurpose: This section identifies Cloud obstacles and barriers that may stall or limit the effectiveness ofthe Cloud strategy for the organization. Cloud barriers and obstacles can take any form, and can beinternal or external. The focus should be on internal barriers and obstacles, and how these can beovercome to enable successful Cloud implementation.


• Identify Cloud computing barriers or obstacles

• Identify possible Cloud risks

• Distinguish whether barriers/obstacles are internal to the organization or external

• Prioritze Cloud barriers/obstacles

• Define potential mitigations or solutions for each Cloud barrier/obstacle

• Define potential mitigations for Risk areas identified

• Summarize Cloud Barriers/Obstacles and Cloud Risks section

2.11 ID Cloud Goals or Outcomes:Purpose: This section summarizes key goals and outcomes that are desired or anticipated throughsuccessful realization of the Cloud Strategy and Architecture. This review provides key strategicalignment context for Cloud computing.

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• Summarize key Cloud computing goals for the enterprise

• Provide any operationalized goals if available, e.g. we will achieve 30% reduction of servers,saving $XXX per year, by October 2010.

• Identify business and mission goals/outcomes

• Identify architecture and technology goals/outcomes

• Identify economic/financial goals/outcomes

• Identify personnel goals/outcomes

2.11 Complete Cloud Computing Business Discovery Documentation andRecommendations

Purpose: This section the Cloud Computing Business Discovery module, and provides keyrecommendations as inputs into the Cloud Computing Strategy Development module.


• Compile all Cloud Computing Business Discovery documentation

• Review and refine Cloud Business Discovery content with key stakeholders

• Document Cloud computing risk areas for the enterprise

• Make key recommendations to key Enterprise stakeholders

• Prepare for your next phase of work:

o Cloud Computing Playbook™ Strategy Development Module

o Cloud Computing Reference Model (CC-RM) Module

o Cloud Computing Reference Architecture (CC-RA) module

o Cloud Computing Pilot project

Documents

Cloud Computing Playbook™ Business Discovery Module€¦ · This document is an assessment template supporting the Business ... Cloud Computing Playbook™ Strategy ... AgilePath’s