This article was originally authored by me for the Real Deal Technologies website and published there on 8/20/09.  Go here to view the original article.

At first thought, cloud computing reminds me of the old concept of a flow chart that would have this big box that said “and something happens here” when no one could figure out the right process to show or how to solve the problem.

Defining Cloud Computing

Cloud computing isn’t quite like that…it isn’t something that just happens…but done right it IS basically something that sort of “just happens.”  Like the internet…you turn your computer on and there it is and your connected to information, networks, servers somewhere else, a remote printer, etc.  You don’t really worry about it, it’s there.  And that’s the concept of cloud computing. 

Cloud means Internet. The computing takes place on the Internet – in place of the software you use executing on your desktop pc, it’s hosted on the Internet on a server installed in a data centre usually staffed by people who are experts in managing technology. This type of “cloud” software is sometimes called “on demand” or Software as a Service (SaaS).
 
I was watching an online video the other day where some IT industry experts were asked what cloud computing meant to them.  You can view that video here. 

It’s funny how it means something a little different to everyone and some of them were at a loss of words to describe which gives you an idea of how new it still is to everyone…and yet how simple the concept really is.  And that’s mostly what it is…a concept.

After all, the cloud idea came from the image used to display the concept of the Internet in diagrams.  Like a big cloud that we connect to not caring really what is in that cloud and how we get information and services from it.  Back to the video I was watching…one individual described it simply as…”if you need more than your laptop and an Internet connection, then it’s not cloud computing."
 
Cloud Computing and the Small Business

So what does cloud computing mean to small businesses?  What does it mean for their? At a minimum, this is what I believe it means to me as a project manager when considering the small businesses and startups that I’ve worked with:

• New web-based testing processes (see my article on startup Skytap teaming with HP)
• Web-based project management software (ProjectOffice.net, Liquid Planner, MindManager, etc.)
• Greener project management and greener business processes
• Lower costs
• Elimination of unnecessary hardware
• Incredible scalability
• Ease of information sharing between team members and with owners/managers
• Rapid dashboard info on your portfolio of projects
• Information sharing through wiki’s, etc.
• More remote management is possible
• Meetings using web-based tools
• Add-on software part of the cloud and not a requirement for your customer to have loaded on his users’ machines

Summary
 
To me, as a Project Manager, cloud computing means a more green, less costly, and more carefree processing environment for the customer.  Does this mean a more carefree and less costly implementation?  Possibly less costly, but from and implementation or project manager perspective I don’t believe it’s any more carefree.  Everything must still be tested, everything still must work upon deployment, and everything must still be supported.

This article was originally authored by me for the Real Deal Technologies website and published there on 6/19/09.  Go here to view the original article.

This one is probably common sense, but needs to be discussed.  For you married business leaders out there…how many times has your wife been absolutely certain she told you ‘x’ when you either heard ‘y’ or nothing at all?  And how many times has that worked the other way around?  My guess is that it’s at least a weekly occurrence. 

Granted, we’re often very casual with our ‘at home’ communication methods and we certainly aren’t committing discussions to notes like we do during our client conversations and status calls.  But our communications with our spouses are very important and we often drop the ball on them knowing full well how important they are and how much ‘in trouble’ we could get if they are misinterpreted or ignored.

Listen Effectively

What I’ve been trying to say so far in this article basically is that effective communication begins with effective listening.  As the business owner or leader, our primary communication comes mainly from the following sources:

• Executive management
• Employees
• Customers
• Peer industry leaders

How well we use and communicate this potentially critical information received from these sources is dependent – in a large part – on how well we have listened to and absorbed the information.  I highly recommend taking notes on any important calls, meetings, and adhoc conversations that affect your business, your current projects, and your customers that you are actively engaged with on ongoing work. 

Document Well

If you develop a reputation for taking good notes and distributing critical notes and meeting updates to members of your organization, then your documentation will be well trusted on current and future undertakings.  This has worked well for me as I have a reputation for frequent emails to my project team members as well as providing follow-up notes following meetings and discussions. 

My co-workers, employees, and customers know I take detailed notes on calls – they like to joke about the keyboard noise they hear in the background while I’m leading meetings.  But they also never question me when I backup things that were promised or said on calls with notes that I’ve captured from those conversations because they know I’m listening and taking accurate notes of important project discussions.

Review Your Communications

In order to preserve this reputation, read, read and re-read communications that you are sending out.  If it’s not an emergency communication that needs to be made immediately, then take the time to proof-read your communication, check for appropriate email attachments and view your communication from the receiver’s point of view. 

The last thing you want is to have the reputation as the one how always has to send communications twice because you forgot the attachment the first time (you know who you are!).  Nor do you want the reputation of the one who sends rambling emails and documents that leave the reader confused or that fail to make a strong point.  If you struggle in this area, trying outlining your thoughts first and treat every written communication as if it were the most important thing you have to do today.

Summary

How you communicate information on your business projects can have a profound effect on the outcome.  Do whatever you can to ensure that you listen effectively and pass on information accurately to your team or employees and to your customer.  Misunderstood and miscommunicated information can result in improper actions taken, assignments missed or misunderstood, and overall major negative impacts to timelines and budgets.

Hello!  Over the past 10 months I've written 300+ professional articles for various websites.  I am now going to start writing a few new articles and provide select articles of mine from other sites in this space.  Hopefully you'll find it interesting and helpful and, as always, I welcome your comments.