Cloud computing projects: critical success factors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1108/RAUSP-06-2021-0107Keywords:
Cloud computing, Critical success factors, Project managementAbstract
Purpose – The purpose of this article is to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) of information
technology (IT) projects using cloud computing. CSFs are variables that can influence the success of projects
and therefore need to be identified and managed appropriately.
Design/methodology/approach – This is an exploratory qualitative study with 23 experts in cloud
computing projects through semi-structured interviews. The data was analyzed using content
analysis.
Findings – The results present a list of CSFs for projects in a cloud computing environment. The study
demonstrated that the CSF with greater relevance to cloud projects is the team’s technical capacity, followed
by the support of senior management and the team’s soft skills. In addition, results demonstrated that
contract item management is a limiting factor for cloud projects.
Research limitations/implications – The sample comprised only Brazilian experts, so it may not
represent the same scenario as in other locations. The CSF ratio for cloud computing projects may vary
depending on the company’s maturity in projects of this nature.
Practical implications – The CSF relationship can guide managers in properly conducting cloud
computing projects, contributing to minimizing the risks and challenges that may interfere with the
project.
Social implications – The relationship of the CSFs in cloud computing projects proposed fills a gap in
studies specifically related to this context and tries to minimize project managers’ stress.
Originality/value – Contract items for the cloud context are added to the CSF literature in IT projects,
which have not been addressed so far.
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