Four Reasons Why the Cloud Business Case Is Not a One-Time Board-Level Effort

Cloud computing has become the backbone of many organizations, but there’s a common misconception: once the board approves the initial business case, the work is done. However, cloud migration and management require constant evaluation, and the business case should evolve alongside your cloud strategy.

Here are four key reasons why your cloud business case is not a one-time board-level effort:

1. Moving to the Cloud Is Just the Beginning

Many companies believe that after deciding to move to the cloud, they can relax and let the benefits roll in. While the initial business case might support that decision, it’s not the end of the story. Once you’re in the cloud, you face hundreds of potential projects for migrating and optimizing workloads. The big question is: how do you prioritize these?

You can’t do everything at once, and without ongoing analysis, you may not get the most out of your cloud investment. Creating a business case for each project ensures that you can justify and prioritize based on clear, strategic goals.

Key takeaway: Your cloud journey doesn’t stop with the initial decision. It’s essential to continuously evaluate where you allocate resources to maximize ROI.

2. Keeping the Business Case Relevant Mid-Project

Even if your cloud migration is well underway, circumstances change. What was a solid business case at the start may no longer apply halfway through the project. In some situations, costs rise, timelines extend, or new technologies make your initial approach outdated. This is why it’s wise to track whether the benefits outlined in the business case still hold true as your project progresses.

Regularly reviewing your cloud projects with a business case lens ensures that your portfolio remains aligned with your strategic goals. Sometimes, stopping a project early can save money and resources—especially if it’s no longer delivering the expected value.

Key takeaway: Tracking progress against your business case is key to knowing when to pivot, adjust goals, or even cut losses.

3. Cloud Isn’t Static: Repatriation and Multi-Cloud Strategies

For companies already deep in the cloud, the assumption might be that all is stable. But as with on-premises systems, the cloud is constantly evolving. You might need to move a workload to another cloud provider or even back on-premises, a practice known as cloud repatriation. You could also find that your logging or security strategies need optimization. Or your compliance posture is changing.

These shifts require fresh business case evaluations. Are the costs and benefits still in your favor? Do you have the right stakeholders involved? Every time your cloud strategy shifts, the business case should shift with it.

Key takeaway: Ongoing changes in your cloud portfolio require constant re-evaluation of your business case.

4. Engineers Need Business Case Thinking, Too

Business cases aren’t just for executives and project managers—they’re relevant for engineers as well. Every time a DevSecOps engineer decides whether to script something or automate a task, they evaluating a (small) business case. Their decisions affect time, costs, and efficiency across the organization. Understanding how to quickly evaluate the business case behind even small decisions can empower engineers to make choices that align with both technical and business goals.

This isn't about adding layers of bureaucracy; it's about thinking strategically at every level of decision-making, no matter how technical.

Key takeaway: Engineers can benefit from quick business case thinking to align their decisions with the broader business strategy.

Ready to Make Cloud Business Case Thinking Part of Your Strategy?

The cloud isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and neither are the business cases that drive your cloud projects. Whether you’re just starting out, mid-migration, or fully in the cloud, a continuous evaluation of your business case can help you make smarter decisions and maximize your return on investment.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to apply these principles to your organization, let’s connect. I’m piloting a program that helps people and teams analyze cloud costs, benefits, and stakeholders to build more effective business cases. Book a 15-minute call with me here, and let’s explore how these strategies can work for you. For more information on the workshop, visit https://cbc.clubcloudcomputing.com.

This post is based on original research with genAI editorial support.