Please read the instructions
Recommendations for Cloud Implementation
Overview
This assessment challenges you to apply your understanding of cloud computing in a real-world decision-making scenario. You’ll take on the role of a new team member at a company considering moving operations to the cloud.
Instructions
You have just joined a new company as someone with emerging cloud knowledge, and your team is debating how to move some of their operations to the cloud. They turn to you and say:
"You seem to know your stuff — what would you do?"
This discussion gives you the opportunity to apply the strategic thinking frameworks you have learned in this unit to a realistic workplace scenario. Remember, there are no "perfect" answers in cloud strategy — the best recommendations are those that thoughtfully consider multiple factors and clearly explain the reasoning behind choices.
Your Response Should Address:(300–450 words total across all three sections)
1. Use Case Time: Identifying the Right Opportunity Based on any business you have worked for, studied, or can imagine, identify one specific thing they could move to the cloud that would make sense. This does not need to be a massive transformation — often the best cloud initiatives start small and build momentum.
Think about common business functions like:
Email and communication systems
File storage and document sharing
Customer relationship management (CRM) systems
Accounting and financial software
Website hosting and e-commerce platforms
Data backup and disaster recovery
Development and testing environments
In your response, explain:
What specific business function or system you are recommending for cloud migration
Why this particular choice makes sense for the organization (consider factors like current pain points, growth needs, or cost pressures)
How this use case aligns with business objectives beyond just "moving to the cloud"
2. The Good with the... Complicated: Balancing Benefits and Challenges Every cloud decision involves trade-offs. Demonstrate your understanding by identifying both the positive outcomes and realistic concerns.
Benefits might include:
Cost savings through reduced hardware or maintenance expenses
Improved accessibility for remote workers or multiple locations
Better scalability to handle business growth or seasonal fluctuations
Enhanced disaster recovery and business continuity capabilities
Access to advanced features that would be expensive to implement internally
Challenges or concerns might include:
Data security and privacy considerations
Internet connectivity requirements and potential downtime
Staff training needs and change management
Integration with existing systems
Ongoing subscription costs vs. one-time purchases
Vendor dependence and potential lock-in effects
In your response:
Identify 2–3 specific benefits this cloud move would bring to the organization
Discuss one realistic challenge or concern that would need to be addressed
Suggest how you might approach mitigating this challenge
3. Choose Your Cloud Adventure: Deployment Model Selection Demonstrate your understanding of different cloud deployment models by recommending the most appropriate approach for your use case.
Consider these options:
Public Cloud: Services hosted by providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud
Private Cloud: Dedicated cloud infrastructure for your organization only
Hybrid Cloud: Combination of public and private cloud resources
Multi-Cloud: Using services from multiple cloud providers
In your response:
Specify which deployment model you would recommend
Provide your reasoning based on factors like security requirements, cost considerations, compliance needs, or technical complexity
Keep your explanation practical — what factors would most influence this decision in a real business context?
Reply Prompt Instructions: After posting your initial response, engage meaningfully with at least one classmate by responding with either:
"Yes, and..." - Build on their idea by adding complementary thoughts, similar experiences, or additional benefits they might not have considered
"Have you thought about..." - Pose thoughtful questions or suggest alternative perspectives they might want to consider
Effective replies might explore:
Alternative approaches to similar business challenges
Different perspectives on the trade-offs they identified
Questions about implementation details or potential complications
Connections to concepts from the unit readings or your own professional experience
Submission Guidelines / Criteria for Success:
Initial Post Requirements:
Length: 300–450 words total across all three sections
Depth: Provide specific details rather than generic statements
Application: Connect your recommendations to real business contexts and unit concepts
Reasoning: Clearly explain the logic behind your choices
