Cloud Transformation Strategy

This is the first of two courses in the UBC Micro-certificate in Cloud Transformation and Technology Infrastructure Strategy.

The decisions you make about your cloud initiative form the backbone of your business transformation, and set the stage for what your organization will accomplish. Identifying strategic cloud transformation gaps and cost-saving adoptions for cloud operations, and leveraging emerging future technologies, can set you up for success.

In this technical and business-oriented course, gain knowledge to inform the planning and implementation of your cloud technology infrastructure strategy. Focus on critical decisions that will profoundly impact many aspects of the organization, such as financial cost, ability to scale, information security, availability of the right technical expertise, risk management, compliance and regulatory implications.

Come away from the course with a cloud adoption framework for your organization.

Course outline

Week 1: Envision accelerating outcomes. Start planning your transformation domains, and understand various stakeholder perspectives that need to be included in your cloud transformation strategy. Identify opportunities to reduce risk, lower costs, and grow revenue through unlocked cloud capabilities.

Week 2: Align foundational capabilities. Take a deep dive into foundational capabilities needed to deploy people and technology to achieve organizational outcomes. Understand how business, people, governance, security, platform, and operations perspectives deliver on organizational outcomes.

Week 3: Launch initiatives with incremental value. Explore opportunities and deliver incremental value through transforming foundational capabilities into a cloud-ready state. Choose from a variety of capabilities to deliver first.

Week 4: Scale your cloud transformation. Formalize your cloud transformation strategy, and review the value proposition of transformed foundational capabilities in strategy presentations to your executive.

Technical and coding skills are not required to take this course, and coding is not covered. However, this course offers optional technical deep dives for learners with an information technology background. Familiarity with management information systems and business applications is an asset.

How am I assessed?

You’re assessed on successfully completing weekly activities, including your contributions to discussion posts and applied case study projects (based on real-life scenarios). These are marked on a matrix using a scoring guide, and your instructor provides you informal feedback in the live sessions.

While you’re not assessed on your attendance of the live sessions, we encourage you to attend these classes so you don’t miss the opportunity to learn and interact with your instructor and other participants. All sessions are recorded in case you miss one.

Expected effort

Expect to spend approximately 5-7 hours a week completing all learning activities, including attending the live online sessions.

Technology requirements

To take this course, you’ll need access to:

• an email account
• a computer, laptop or tablet
• the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
• a reliable internet connection
• a video camera and microphone.

Course format

This 100% online program is instructor supported with real-time classes. Live instructor-led classes are held once a week (See Available Session for days and times). These live, virtual classes are also recorded.

Outside of class time, you can access online materials at your own pace. Each week, review readings and videos, and apply your knowledge in exercises and case studies. Contribute to a discussion board and connect with other students.

Please note you can log in to your course for up to eight weeks after the course ends. You'll no longer be able to access course materials after this time.

One business day before the course start date, we'll email you step-by-step instructions for accessing your course.