Cloud adoption strategy across AWS, GCP, and on-prem hybrid environments.

💼 Scenario

You are the Enterprise Architect at Wipro, deployed to a large BFSI client (say Yes Bank). The client has a complex landscape — legacy on-prem applications, some workloads already on AWS, and multiple analytics workloads on GCP.

Your role: Define and drive a unified Cloud Adoption Strategy that works across AWS, GCP, and on-prem in a hybrid environment.

🚀 Step-by-Step Realistic Walkthrough

Step 1: Understand Current State (Discovery & Assessment Phase)

Objective: Establish a baseline of the existing IT landscape.Actions:

• Conduct Application Portfolio Assessment → identify what’s on-prem, what’s on AWS, what’s on GCP.

• Classify applications by business criticality, technology stack, integration dependency, and modernization potential.

• Evaluate existing infrastructure costs, network topology, security model, data gravity, and regulatory constraints.

• Engage business and IT stakeholders to assess pain points and business priorities.

Outputs:

• Current-state architecture map

• Cloud readiness report

• TCO/ROI baseline

• Identified migration candidates (rehost, replatform, refactor)

Tools/Frameworks:

• Wipro Cloud Studio, CAST Highlight, AWS Migration Evaluator, GCP StratoZone, Cloudamize

Step 2: Define Cloud Adoption Vision and Strategy

Objective: Establish a business-aligned, outcome-driven strategy.Actions:

• Define Business Drivers (e.g., faster time to market, resilience, AI/ML enablement).

• Define Target Operating Model (TOM) for cloud (governance, security, DevOps, FinOps).

• Define Multi-Cloud Strategy:

  • AWS → Core digital workloads, customer apps, APIs

  • GCP → Data analytics, ML workloads

  • On-Prem → Legacy, regulated workloads

• Establish adoption approach: Hybrid-first, with progressive modernization.

• Develop 3-year Cloud Adoption Roadmap (waves by business unit or app category).

Outputs:

• Cloud Strategy Document

• Cloud Adoption Roadmap

• Business Case with ROI

Step 3: Define Target Architecture & Cloud Operating Model

Objective: Define technical and governance blueprint for hybrid environment.Actions:

• Define Reference Architecture:

  • Network: Interconnect AWS, GCP, On-Prem (via VPN/Direct Connect/Interconnect)

  • Identity: Federated SSO using Azure AD or Okta

  • Data: Centralized Data Lake on GCP; replication pipelines from AWS and On-Prem

  • Security: Centralized policy enforcement, CSPM, zero-trust network segmentation

  • Observability: Unified monitoring via Datadog or Azure Monitor

• Define Cloud Operating Model (COM):

  • Roles & responsibilities (Cloud CoE, Platform Team, DevOps)

  • Governance committees (Tech Steering, FinOps, SecOps)

  • Standardize Landing Zones for AWS/GCP

Outputs:

• Target State Hybrid Cloud Architecture Blueprint

• Cloud Operating Model & Governance Charter

Step 4: Establish Governance and Cloud CoE

Objective: Ensure sustainable cloud adoption through governance and capability building.Actions:

• Set up Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) for cloud policy, templates, and patterns.

• Define Governance Framework covering:

  • Cloud security & compliance

  • Cost optimization (FinOps)

  • Workload placement policy (which app goes where)

• Develop automation pipelines using IaC (Terraform, Pulumi) and DevSecOps pipelines.

Outputs:

• Cloud Governance Playbook

• Cloud Platform Templates

• Compliance Dashboard

Step 5: Execute Migration & Modernization Waves

Objective: Implement migration based on priority and readiness.Actions:

• Create wave plan (e.g., 10 apps per quarter).

• Use migration factory model:

  • Wave 1 – Rehost low-risk workloads

  • Wave 2 – Replatform core business services

  • Wave 3 – Refactor and containerize apps

• Set up multi-cloud observability, backup, and DR across environments.

Outputs:

• Migration Runbooks

• Operational KPIs and dashboards

• Validated hybrid operations

Step 6: Continuous Optimization & Value Realization

Objective: Drive ongoing improvement and cost-value optimization.Actions:

• Implement FinOps practices (showback, chargeback).

• Conduct post-migration reviews to measure ROI and user satisfaction.

• Integrate AI/ML Ops for predictive monitoring.

• Define continuous modernization roadmap (containerization, serverless adoption, GenAI use cases).

Outputs:

• Cost Savings Report

• Performance KPIs

• Next-gen modernization plan

📊 KPIs to Track

Category	KPI
Business	Time-to-market reduction, customer satisfaction
Financial	% Cost optimization, TCO reduction
Operational	Uptime, performance SLAs
Governance	Policy compliance %, security incidents
Adoption	# of apps migrated, % of workloads on cloud

🧩 Summary Answer (Interview Short Version)

“As an Enterprise Architect, my approach would start with a complete discovery and readiness assessment to understand the current hybrid environment. I’d define a multi-cloud strategy aligning AWS for digital workloads, GCP for analytics, and on-prem for regulated systems. Then I’d define a unified target operating model and governance framework through a Cloud CoE. Cloud adoption would follow a phased roadmap — migrate low-risk workloads first, modernize core apps, and continuously optimize through FinOps and observability. Throughout, I’d ensure business alignment, security compliance, and measurable ROI — enabling the client to realize a hybrid, scalable, and compliant cloud ecosystem.”

🧭 Cloud Adoption Strategy – Stakeholders & Actions (Hybrid AWS + GCP + On-Prem)

Step	Stakeholders Involved	Your Role / Actions as Enterprise Architect	Outcome / Deliverable
1. Discovery & Assessment	- CIO / CTO - Infrastructure Head - Application Owners - Security & Compliance Team - Finance / Cost Management	- Conduct workshops to understand existing IT estate (apps, infra, data). - Collect TCO, performance, and integration details. - Align on assessment criteria (business criticality, technical debt). - Identify pain points and modernization triggers.	- Application Portfolio Assessment - Cloud Readiness Scorecard - Current-State Architecture Map
2. Define Cloud Adoption Vision & Strategy	- CIO / CTO - Business Unit Heads - Strategy Office - Finance (CFO team) - Cloud CoE / Enterprise Architecture team	- Facilitate strategy workshop to define business drivers (agility, cost, resilience). - Translate business goals into technology outcomes. - Align multi-cloud usage (AWS → core, GCP → analytics). - Build financial model (ROI, TCO).	- Cloud Strategy Document - 3-Year Adoption Roadmap - Business Case Presentation
3. Define Target Architecture & Cloud Operating Model	- Enterprise Architecture (EA) Team - Cloud CoE - Security & Risk (CISO Office) - Network, Infra & Platform Teams - Application Architects	- Define target hybrid reference architecture (AWS–GCP–On-prem). - Design interconnect, IAM, data, monitoring, and security. - Define Landing Zone standards for AWS & GCP. - Define Cloud Operating Model (roles, RACI, processes).	- Target-State Hybrid Architecture Blueprint - Cloud Operating Model & Governance Charter
4. Governance & Cloud CoE Setup	- CIO / CTO - IT Governance Office - Cloud CoE Lead - Procurement & Compliance - HR / L&D (for upskilling)	- Establish governance model: cloud policy board, change advisory board. - Define decision rights and review cadence. - Create reusable templates, IaC patterns, FinOps dashboards. - Launch upskilling programs for DevOps & cloud teams.	- Cloud Governance Framework - Cloud CoE Charter - Cloud Policy Handbook
5. Migration & Modernization Execution	- Cloud CoE - Application Owners - DevOps Teams - Security / Compliance - Business Operations / Product Managers	- Prioritize apps per wave. - Define migration patterns (rehost/replatform/refactor). - Establish DevSecOps pipeline. - Conduct cutover, validation, and post-migration review. - Engage business owners for sign-off and performance validation.	- Migration Runbooks - Wave Plans - Performance Reports - Compliance Sign-offs
6. Continuous Optimization & Value Realization	- CIO / CFO (for ROI tracking) - FinOps Team - Business Process Owners - Operations / SRE Teams - Enterprise Architecture Team	- Define KPIs (cost reduction, agility, uptime). - Run FinOps optimization cycles. - Continuously modernize workloads (containers, serverless). - Create feedback loop into business roadmap. - Identify new use cases (AI/ML, automation).	- Cloud Optimization Report - Updated Roadmap - Quarterly Value Realization Report

🧩 Stakeholder Communication Cadence

Stakeholder Group	Interaction Type	Frequency	Purpose
CXO Steering Committee	Governance review	Monthly	Strategic alignment, KPI review
Cloud CoE & EA Team	Architecture sync	Bi-weekly	Design decisions, standards
Business Unit Heads	Transformation sync	Quarterly	Business case validation
Application Owners & DevOps	Working sessions	Weekly	Migration execution, blockers
Security / Compliance	CAB review	On-demand	Risk assessment, audit readiness

💡 How You’d Say It in Interview

“In a cloud adoption program across AWS, GCP, and on-prem, I act as the single architectural bridge between technology and business.I start by engaging with the CIO, CTO, and application owners to assess current workloads and readiness.Then, I collaborate with the CFO team to define financial models, and with security, risk, and compliance to ensure governance alignment.Once the strategy is approved, I work closely with the Cloud CoE and DevOps teams to design the hybrid architecture and execute migrations in waves — while continuously engaging business stakeholders to validate outcomes and ROI.This stakeholder alignment is key to ensuring adoption is sustainable, secure, and value-driven.”

🌩️ Cloud Adoption Strategy & Execution Framework (for AWS + GCP + On-Prem Hybrid)

Context:Wipro deputed you as Enterprise Architect to ABC Bank to drive cloud adoption across multi-cloud (AWS, GCP, On-prem).Your goal is to define the strategy, operating model, governance, and execution roadmap ensuring business alignment, risk control, and measurable value delivery.

Phase 1: Discovery & Assessment

Element	Details
Key Stakeholders	CIO, CTO, Application Owners, Infrastructure Head, CISO, Finance Head
Actions (EA Role)	- Conduct stakeholder workshops and surveys to identify business drivers and pain points. - Perform current-state assessment (apps, infra, data, security, network). - Classify applications by business criticality, complexity, and compliance sensitivity. - Identify dependencies and integration patterns.
Input	Application inventory, CMDB, existing architecture diagrams, business process maps
Output	- Cloud readiness assessment - Application portfolio heatmap - Technical debt report - TCO baseline
Tools / Frameworks	- TOGAF ADM Phase A & B - AWS Migration Evaluator / GCP StratoZone - CAST Highlight / Cloudamize - CMDB tools (ServiceNow)
KPIs	- % of applications assessed - % of infra discovered - Accuracy of dependency mapping
Governance Bodies	EA Core Team, Discovery Working Group
RACI	R: EA, Infra Team A: CTO C: App Owners, Security I: PMO, CFO

Phase 2: Define Cloud Vision & Strategy

Element	Details
Key Stakeholders	CIO, CTO, CFO, Business Unit Heads, Strategy Office, EA Team
Actions (EA Role)	- Facilitate workshops to define cloud vision, business outcomes, and success criteria. - Map cloud adoption to business priorities (agility, time-to-market, cost efficiency). - Define high-level cloud models (AWS for core, GCP for analytics, On-prem for regulatory workloads). - Develop business case and ROI model. - Present to steering committee for approval.
Input	Business objectives, assessment results, financial data
Output	- Cloud Vision & Strategy Document - Cloud Adoption Roadmap (3-year) - Business Case & Investment Justification
Tools / Frameworks	- TOGAF ADM Phase B - AWS Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF) – Business & Governance Pillars - GCP Cloud Adoption Framework - Gartner Bimodal IT framework
KPIs	- Business alignment score - ROI/TCO model accuracy - Executive sign-off time
Governance Bodies	Cloud Steering Committee (CIO, CTO, CFO, BU Heads)
RACI	R: EA A: CIO C: BU Heads, CFO, Strategy Office I: PMO, Infra Team

Phase 3: Target Architecture & Cloud Operating Model

Element	Details
Key Stakeholders	Enterprise Architecture, Cloud CoE, CISO, Infra & Network, Platform Team, HR (for L&D)
Actions (EA Role)	- Define hybrid reference architecture (AWS + GCP + On-prem). - Define connectivity (Transit Gateway, Cloud Interconnect). - Define IAM, monitoring, observability, and backup patterns. - Establish Cloud Operating Model (roles, RACI, decision rights, processes). - Define compliance, FinOps, and incident management processes.
Input	Cloud provider best practices, existing operating models
Output	- Target-State Architecture Blueprint - Cloud Operating Model Handbook - Landing Zone Design Document
Tools / Frameworks	- TOGAF ADM Phase C - AWS Well-Architected Framework - ITIL v4, COBIT 5 - FinOps Framework
KPIs	- Architecture completeness - Operating model readiness score - Landing zone compliance %
Governance Bodies	Cloud CoE, Architecture Review Board (ARB)
RACI	R: EA, Cloud CoE A: CTO C: Security, Infra, HR I: PMO, Finance

Phase 4: Governance & Organization Enablement

Element	Details
Key Stakeholders	CIO, Cloud CoE, IT Governance, Procurement, Compliance, L&D
Actions (EA Role)	- Establish Cloud Governance Board (CIO-led). - Define governance cadence and escalation matrix. - Set up Cloud Center of Excellence (CoE) and define its charter. - Develop policy handbook, design review templates, security guardrails. - Enable change management and upskilling programs.
Input	Organizational policies, architecture standards
Output	- Cloud Governance Charter - CoE Organization Model - Governance Calendar
Tools / Frameworks	- TOGAF Phase D - AWS Control Tower / Azure Policy / GCP Organization Policies - ITSM/ITOM
KPIs	- Policy compliance % - Governance meeting adherence - # of trained resources
Governance Bodies	Cloud Governance Board, CoE Steering Committee
RACI	R: EA, Cloud CoE A: CIO C: Security, Procurement, HR I: BU Heads

Phase 5: Migration & Modernization Execution

Element	Details
Key Stakeholders	Application Owners, DevOps, Cloud CoE, Security, Business Ops
Actions (EA Role)	- Prioritize applications by complexity and business value. - Define migration waves (Rehost, Replatform, Refactor). - Create migration factory model. - Oversee architecture validation and cutover readiness. - Validate cost optimization and compliance post-migration.
Input	Application assessment, migration factory model
Output	- Wave Plan - Migration Runbooks - Post-Migration Report
Tools / Frameworks	- TOGAF Phase E & F - AWS Migration Hub / GCP Migrate for Compute Engine - Terraform, Jenkins, ServiceNow
KPIs	- % apps migrated - Migration success rate - Downtime < threshold
Governance Bodies	Migration Review Board, CAB (Change Advisory Board)
RACI	R: Cloud CoE, DevOps A: Application Owner C: EA, Security I: Business Ops

Phase 6: Optimization & Continuous Improvement

Element	Details
Key Stakeholders	CIO, CFO, FinOps, Business Ops, SRE, EA
Actions (EA Role)	- Implement FinOps practices for cost optimization. - Review cloud consumption trends and right-size resources. - Conduct quarterly value realization reviews. - Define next wave of modernization (containers, AI/ML).
Input	Billing data, performance metrics
Output	- Optimization Report - ROI Tracking Dashboard - Updated Cloud Roadmap
Tools / Frameworks	- FinOps Framework - AWS Cost Explorer / GCP Cost Management - Prometheus / Grafana
KPIs	- Cost reduction % - Resource utilization efficiency - SLA adherence
Governance Bodies	FinOps Review Board, EA Council
RACI	R: FinOps, SRE A: CIO C: EA, CFO I: PMO

🏛️ Governance Org Structure (Text View)

CIO / CTO ──────────────── Cloud Steering Committee
   │
   ├── Enterprise Architecture Council
   │     ├── Architecture Review Board (ARB)
   │     └── Domain Architects (Infra, App, Data, Security)
   │
   ├── Cloud Center of Excellence (CoE)
   │     ├── Cloud Architects
   │     ├── DevOps Engineers
   │     ├── Security & Compliance Leads
   │
   ├── FinOps & Cost Governance Board
   │     ├── Finance, EA, Cloud Ops
   │
   └── Change Advisory Board (CAB)
         ├── App Owners, PMO, EA, Security

📊 Example KPIs Tracked Across the Program

Dimension	KPI	Target
Business Alignment	% of strategic initiatives enabled by cloud	≥ 90%
Cost Efficiency	Reduction in infrastructure TCO	≥ 30%
Agility	Avg. time to deploy	< 1 hour
Governance	Policy compliance rate	≥ 95%
Risk	# of critical incidents post-migration	0
Skills	% workforce cloud-certified	≥ 70%