Planning for Cloud Integration: Pitfalls and Advantages - Deploying and Managing a Cloud Infrastructure - page 391

an organization, can help them save time and money for an organization. In fact, this
approach will eventually lead to improved output and better utilization of provisions of the
new changes.
Possible and Most Common Problems Budget cuts, changing requirements and needs,
and alternative approaches to traditional methods keep things uncertain. These are the
most common problems faced during planning, and how do you plan for such fluctuation
in an uncertain, continuously changing and shifting environment?
One way is to prepare prefeasibility and feasibility studies that focus on evaluating
and analyzing the potential of a proposed change. The study is based on investigating and
researching to support the process of decision making.
Another is to involve stakeholders, such as top management, middle management, and senior
and new employees to get their perspective. This serves two purposes: it provides a sense of
belonging and responsibility in employees, and it helps in getting the message across.
It is also important to embrace what cannot be controlled. Explicit micromanagement and
control is hardly ever fruitful. The key is to plan and then go with the flow. This means
having a plan and all the requirements (budget, alternatives, legal/statutory) in place but
also having enough flexibility to change during the course of change proceedings.
Convincing the Board
The board or the top management of an organization is at the core of effective strategic
planning and governance. They need to think and plan smartly to lead an organization
forward. It is imperative for the board to focus on critical issues and policy challenges.
However, the board should also concern itself (but to a lesser extent and only from time to
time) with lower-level administrative details and process implementation.
Any plans that disturb the equilibrium of processes in place for achieving the agreed-upon
goals can meet resistance. The board needs convincing and persuading in a manner that sup-
ports new changes within the framework of an overall fulfillment of their goals. Some of the
following points might be helpful in planning a convincing campaign:
Creating Change for Good Well-planned proposed changes usually begin with articulation
of the problems faced by the organization and how the new changes can effectively help in
resolving those problems.
Arranging for the Best Use of Staff If the new changes bring about a good work process
and a sound strategic planning process, it will most certainly get employees engaged. This
will help them invest time in the organization and be more productive because they will
understand their unique contributions to the goals of the organization.
Getting the Board Moving New changes can reinvigorate enthusiasm among the board
of directors. The board can provide a plethora of resources through their expertise and net-
works and by sharing ideas. They could also provide a broader vision and guide employees
about the purpose of their work. A good plan will get the board excited, actively involved,
and committed to their role in making things happen.