Managing a cloud computing project

Grazed from ITWorldCanada. Author: Don Sheppard.

Is cloud computing “business as usual” for the IT project manager (the PM)? Are cloud-based projects really any different from traditional projects? Since cloud computing is now enterprise-class, we can no longer ignore cloud solutions for IT projects. For the PM, however, cloud computing is still relatively new and can be a significant challenge, at least it is here in Canada.

PMs are, or should soon be, deciding how cloud computing can affect the execution of their projects. Does it reduce delivery times? Does it simplify the technical tasks? Does it increase project risk? Does it radically change the infrastructure or application development processes? There can be many questions, and the answers aren’t always straightforward…

Many companies have started their cloud transition, but only a very few could be considered mature users. In fact, cloud computing is still new enough that project management best practices have yet to catch up. The PMI perspective is expressed in a cloud computing whitepaper, but most project management guides have not yet been revised…

Read more from the source @ http://www.itworldcanada.com/blog/managing-a-cloud-computing-project/374832#ixzz3bS4KbYAp