Now that cloud computing is seen as a viable technology for the government marketplace, management consulting leader Booz Allen Hamilton is now providing cloud transition guidance. In his article "Cloud Computing: A Transition Methodology", BAH Principal Rod Fontecilla offers a two phased approach for those interested in exploring this option.

Cloud Strategy and Planning phase (Phase 1)

• 1. Conduct a Strategic Diagnostic


• 2. Define a Cloud Strategy


• 3. Create an Implementation

Plan Cloud Deployment phase (Phase 2)

• 1. Assess/Select the Cloud Provider(s)


• 2. Establish Service Level Agreements (SLAs)


• 3. Execute Transition


• 4. O&M and Help Desk

BAH seems to have really embraced cloud computing as a viable strategy for their government customers. To me this seems to be yet another milepost on the road to widespread acceptance of cloud computing by the Federal government. If a trusted Federal advisor like BAH can see clear answers to all the "cloud computing risks" (i.e. security, legal, economic, etc.), my confidence in this government cloud computing niche seems to be well founded.

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