SFU-014 - Module 3 (Simulation)

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You'll need the worksheet to complete this module and submit your work!The workbook is available to fill in alongside the steps, you'll just need to download it once you've answered everything

Worksheet

(Word, Google Docs)

(Excel, Google Sheets, or a BI tool like Tableau)

Text editor

Web browsers for research

Data analysis tool

Computer with internet access

Materials Needed

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Simulation

Expected Outcome

Reflection Task (10 minutes)

Document and Present (15 minutes)

If you're ready, click the 'Next' button below to get going!

As a reminder, below are the steps we're going to take in order to complete the simulation. There will be timers on each step, but this is simply there for guidance and there is no pressure to finish before or after the time is up!

Create Task (20 minutes)

Analysis Task (30 minutes)

Research Task (30 minutes)

Preparation Task (30 minutes)

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Input your dataon the next page

Step two: Identify the company’s current (prior to migration) infrastructure, such as:

• The number of servers

• Network setup
• The applications currently (prior to migration) in use

Step one: Familiarise yourself with SilverBlaze by researching the organisation online.

Preparation task (30 minutes):

As you work through this simulation, you are working as a Cloud Architect. As part of your role, you are tasked with evaluating a client organisation’s preparation for cloud migration. Objective: Conduct research on the client organisation, identifying their current infrastructure. You’ve been approached by a client organisation that is looking to migrate its infrastructure to a cloud service provider to reduce costs and enhance scalability. For this simulation, we want you to use SilverBlaze, a software innovation, development and consulting firm, as your client. Task:

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Preparation task (10 minutes):

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Input your dataon the next page

Step three: Select and justify the most appropriate option.

Step two: Analyse these platforms for:

• Their services
• Costs
• Geography
• Support
• Security
• Compliance offerings

Step one: Conduct research on the following data centres and cloud service providers:

• AWS
• Google Cloud
• Azure
• You can choose to include further options if you deem them suitable

Research task (30 minutes):

Building on your assessment of the company’s current infrastructure, you must now evaluate service providers. As a Cloud Architect, you need to make credible recommendations to your client, so it’s vital you gather as much information as possible and select the most appropriate provider for this scenario. Objective: Evaluate various data centres and cloud service providers to determine suitability. Task:

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Research task (30 minutes):

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Input your dataon the next page

Step one: Create a SWOT analysis weighing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of your selected cloud-based solution for your client, compared to their current setup. Here is an example to get you started

View example SWOT analysis +

It’s your role as a Cloud Architect to ensure the solution aligns with your company’s strategic goals, while addressing potential risks. Objective: Evaluate the feasibility of cloud migration for the identified company. Task:

Analysis task (30 minutes):

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Analysis task (30 minutes):

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Document your strategy plan in a Word document or equivalent, using visuals to demonstrate points where appropriate.

Step one: Create a high-level cloud strategy plan for the company, including:

• A strategy for data migration
• A timeline for the transition
• A brief of the cloud architecture
• Prediction of costs
• The expected improvements in performance or resource utilisation

Having completed your analysis, it’s important to use these insights to create a strategy plan, providing a roadmap that minimises risks and sets measurable benchmarks for success. Objective: use analysis findings to create a high-level strategy plan. Task:

Create task (20 minutes):

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Documenting findings allows you, as a Cloud Architect, to clearly communicate decisions and expected outcomes, ensuring alignment with stakeholders. Objective: Document your findings and chosen strategy in a concise report. Task: Step one: compile your findings and strategies in a report, covering:

• Research
• Analysis
• Chosen strategy
• Expected outcome

Document & present (20 minutes):

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Step one: answer the following questions:

• What have you learnt from the process of creating a cloud strategy plan?
• What challenges did you face and how did find solutions to overcome these?
• How can your skills in Cloud Strategy be improved upon and how will this help you in your career as a Cloud Architect?

Reflection allows you to identify key learning experiences, refine your approach and strengthen your expertise for future projects and career growth. Objective: reflect on the process of creating a cloud strategy plan. Task:

Reflection task (20 minutes):

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Expected Outcome

By the end of this activity, you will have improved your capabilities in understanding, analysing, and strategizing the migration of company data to the cloud. You will develop the skill of creating effective cloud strategies tailored for specific business needs within a given timeframe. This skill will be an important asset for you in your role as a Cloud Architect.

Threats:

• Vendor Lock-In: Relying heavily on Google Cloud could create a dependency on a single vendor, which might result in higher costs or limitations if pricing models or services change.

Weaknesses:

• Advanced AI and Machine Learning Integration: With Google Cloud's strong AI and ML capabilities, SilverBlaze could leverage these tools to enhance its data analytics, automate processes, and gain deeper insights, offering a competitive advantage.

Opportunities:

• Complexity of Migration: Migrating existing systems and workloads to Google Cloud can be complex, requiring expertise in cloud architecture, data migration, and the adaptation of legacy systems to the new environment.

Strengths:

• Scalability and Flexibility: Google Cloud offers excellent scalability, allowing SilverBlaze to easily scale up or down based on their needs, without worrying about hardware limitations.