Purpose
Option C: Apply Your Knowledge to Understand a Cloud Computing Failure
Since cloud computing has emerged, not all companies have been successful. For Option C, you will use information that is publicly available to consider when cloud computing has failed. If you select option C, your first step is to research cloud computing failures (e.g., Google “Cloud computing failures”). Identify a time when cloud computing has failed – this can be a time when a company relied upon the cloud and it failed or when a company providing cloud computing to another company failed.
Who should select Option C
Option C is best if you do not have knowledge of how the IT works inside of your organization or if you do not have a new business idea. This option is best for you if you want to understand more about how companies are using the cloud, but did not succeed. The idea is that, if you can examine what went wrong, you are better positioned to assist a company in enabling a successful cloud computing initiative!
Instructions
Your first step is to identify the company that you want to study. After finding an example of when cloud computing has failed, take some time to find more research and articles on the cloud. Find information on went wrong and then begin to consider what the company should have done differently. You will need to identify: (a) Information about the company; (b) the problem – what went wrong?; and (c) where you, through your research, believe that there is an opportunity for the change their approach to cloud computing. Once you have completed your analysis, you will write a document that includes four sections.
Section 1: The Company
Drawing upon information that is publicly available, trace the history of the company from beginning to the current time period, including the key executives, key milestones in the evolution of the company, and key developments that led to this point in the organization.
Target word count: 250 words
Section 2: The Problem
Your next section should identify the failure that the company had – what went wrong? Explain what went wrong and then outline the limitations of their architecture and identify which aspect of their infrastructure needs to be altered due to the failure.
Target word count: 250 words
Section 3: The Solution
Your third section should propose a solution for how to overcome their cloud computing failure. In your solution, identify: (a) Why you believe they should follow your advice in the cloud for your specific solution and (b) Which specific aspect of their infrastructure needs to be altered in the cloud.
Target word count: 250 words
Section 4: Implementation Plan
Your fourth section should be to create an implementation plan to put your solution into place. Identify the critical success factors, any potential sources of risk, and the business case that needs to be established. If any changes to governance or strategy need to be made, be sure to include this. Conclude by discussing the benefits to the company for following your solution.
Target word count: 250 words
Submission Guidelines
Do not simply list the information for each section into bullet form. Your submission must be written as a traditional paper with headings and prose. Save your file as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx) with the following naming convention:
lastname_COAWA_Final
Example: Tiger_COAWA_Final
If you do not have access to Microsoft Office, you can create a free Google Drive account and save your work in a Microsoft Word format. For writing assistance, Purdue OWL offers information on guides and quick tips on different aspects of writing. You can also try Grammarly, a free browser plug-in to help with spelling, punctuation, and grammar, or Microsoft Editor.
