Abstract
Organisations are interested in implementing cloud computing (CC) services, as these services are purported to enable Information Technology (IT) to become efficient and effective. However, CC brings new complexities, risks and implications into IT projects. The objective of this study is two-fold: to determine whether CC projects are significantly different from traditional IT projects and to develop a conceptual framework to effectively manage the implementation of CC projects. More specifically, the study evaluated project complexities brought about by CC, and explored the project management knowledge area and approaches required to implement CC. The literature review revealed that CC contributes to the complexity of projects and there are 18 core CC project complexity factors which are key to the successful implementation of CC projects. Apart from these 18 factors, there are 78 other factors which are important for both cloud and traditional IT projects which need to be looked at. Secondly, it is vital to understand which project management knowledge subjects are key to successfully implement cloud projects. Five (5) key knowledge areas have been identified that are linked to the complexity factors. Finally, it is suggested that an agile approach be used when implementing CC projects.
Highlights
Cloud computing is a new information technology trend (El-Gazzar, Hustad & Olsen 2016) and the foundation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Roblek, Meško & Krapež 2016)
This study identified the key project complexity factors influencing the implementation of cloud computing (CC) projects
MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS The conceptual framework derived in this study enables Information Technology (IT) project managers and other senior management to focus on the key CC project complexity factors
Summary
Cloud computing is a new information technology trend (El-Gazzar, Hustad & Olsen 2016) and the foundation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Roblek, Meško & Krapež 2016). Organisations are interested in implementing CC services because of the benefits which come with cloud computing (Almubarak 2017; El-Gazzar et al 2016; Ristov, Gusev & Kostoska 2012; Rosenthal, Mork, Li, Stanford, Koester & Reynolds 2010; Zhang, Cheng & Boutaba 2010). Cloud computing are made available through paying for what has been used. Cloud computing offers great benefits to IT organisations by allowing them to focus on their core business and other business-related tasks (such as innovation and value creation) other than software and hardware administration and maintenance (Buyya, Yeo, & Venugopal 2008; Subramanian & Jeyaraj 2018). IT organisations implement CC because CC providers have the required IT skills to maintain IT infrastructure and services
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