At CGI, we talk about the “complete cloud approach”—our formula for automated service management, appropriate service levels and solid transition planning. Today I’m writing about the concept of transition management, which provides a defined and transparent path to successful cloud computing implementations.

Cloud transition planning is all about maintaining focus on moving applications and systems without service interruptions or security breaches—two often-cited concerns with the cloud model.

With the cloud, good IT management doesn’t change. While there are new “cloud twists” with the transition to cloud deployment models, it’s still a project that has to be defined with a clear line of management on both the provider and client sides and agreed upon milestones.

First, think about the areas of transition that should be addressed: the system and data to be migrated, the ongoing operation and support of the system, and the responsibility for each aspect of the system. With this baseline completed, a solid transition process should include the following:

• A well defined project plan that includes client-accepted milestones
• Clearly identified transition leadership with defined project management from the provider that is separate from service delivery management
• A formal policy and common framework to ensure that all services, stakeholders and events are accounted for
• A well-defined knowledge acquisition/transfer plan that identifies the right person with the right knowledge to deliver and support the system at the right time

For cloud here are some of the additional twists: Depending upon the nature of the system you may need, have a plan to make the system cloud enabled (works in a cloud environment) and cloud aware (can take advantage of the elasticity of the cloud to automatically scale needed resources).

It’s also important that your cloud partner has prior experience in complex system transitions. Experience and solid transition management can help identify, manage and control the risks associated with moving to the cloud—thus enabling you to realize the cloud’s full promise.

Read more about these concepts in our white paper, The complete cloud: Creating and preserving cloud savings, security and service quality, or visit the federal cloud transition planning page. I also welcome you to post comments or contact me so we can continue the conversation.