5 Mistakes to Avoid in a Cloud Project

Migrating to the Cloud promises flexibility and savings, but the path is fraught with pitfalls. Before you start, discover the 5 critical mistakes that derail 90% of projects and our roadmap to ensure a successful landing.

The Cloud is no longer an option; it's a given. But a poorly prepared migration can turn the dream into a financial and operational nightmare. At Whynote, we've guided many companies through this transition. Here are the most common mistakes we see, and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Thinking "Costs" Before "Strategy"

The primary motivation is often cost reduction. This is a valid goal, but a dangerous one if it's the only one. A successful Cloud project starts with the question: "How will the Cloud support my business objectives?" Is it to accelerate innovation? Improve resilience? Expand internationally? Strategy dictates technology, never the other way around.

Mistake #2: The Blind "Lift and Shift"

Taking your existing servers and copy-pasting them into the Cloud ("Lift and Shift") is the fastest method, but often the most expensive in the long run. You're moving your problems and inefficiencies to an environment where you pay for consumption. A successful migration involves rethinking applications ("refactoring") to take full advantage of native Cloud services (PaaS, Serverless, etc.).

Mistake #3: Underestimating Hidden Costs

The "pay-as-you-go" model is attractive but complex. Many companies are surprised by:

• Data egress fees: transferring data out of the Cloud can be very expensive.
• Storage and snapshot costs: backups accumulate quickly.
• Support costs: quality technical support is a paid option.

A detailed needs analysis and constant cost monitoring (FinOps) are essential.

Mistake #4: Neglecting Security and Compliance

In the Cloud, security is a shared responsibility. The provider (AWS, Azure, GCP) secures the infrastructure, but you are responsible for securing your data, access, and applications. Incorrectly configuring an S3 bucket or leaving default access settings are common mistakes with disastrous consequences.

Mistake #5: Forgetting the Human Factor

Are your teams ready for the Cloud? Working in a Cloud environment requires new skills in automation, security, and architecture. Without a training and change management plan, you'll face resistance and underutilization of the platform's capabilities.

Conclusion: Preparation is the Key to Success

A Cloud migration is not a purely technical project; it's a business transformation. By avoiding these five mistakes, you put the odds in your favor. The key is a solid audit and strategy phase beforehand. This is precisely where we can help you build a clear roadmap and a strong business case to make your Cloud project a true success.