A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK TO MANAGE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CLOUD COMPUTING PROJECTS

Abstract

The majority of organisations have the intention to adopt cloud computing (CC) in order to achieve its advantages. Nevertheless, the implementation of cloud computing introduces intricacies and potential hazards to Information Technology (IT) initiatives. The objective of this study is to give empirical research findings pertaining to the efficient management of cloud computing project execution. The validation of a framework for cloud computing project management (CCPM) was conducted through a series of exploratory qualitative semi-interviews involving sixteen (16) IT professionals representing various organisations in South Africa. The primary discoveries indicate that elements related to CC complexity, PM knowledge domains, project methodologies, and change management play a crucial role in the successful implementation of cloud computing projects. A total of fifty-one difficulty variables pertaining to cloud computing were found to be significant throughout the implementation of cloud projects. The elements were classified into eight distinct areas, specifically environmental, organisational, technical, financial, governance, people management, uncertainty, and dynamics. This study revealed that a majority of the PM knowledge areas, specifically risk management, cost management, business cases, resource management, procurement management, stakeholder management, communication management, integration management, and quality management, were deemed significant. The use of the agile methodology is highly recommended for firms seeking to undertake cloudbased initiatives. Moreover, the significance of change management in effectively executing cloud computing initiatives cannot be overstated, as the use of cloud computing necessitates alterations inside an organisation that affect individuals, organisational procedures, and the overall culture, among various other aspects. The study employed intentional sampling as the sampling technique, wherein the sample was deliberately chosen from the population of IT professionals and IT project managers who possess expertise in the execution and supervision of cloud computing projects. The research employed a hybrid thematic analysis approach for data analysis. The researcher conducted an identification, analysis, and reporting of the themes and patterns derived from both the pre-existing template and the interview data. The statistical software package ATLAS.ti was employed for the purpose of data analysis.