Title

AWS re:Invent 2023 - Establishing a modernization CCoE (PEX304)

Summary

• The session focused on establishing a Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) for modernization, leveraging AWS services and partner networks.
• The importance of modernization for business agility, operational efficiency, and technological advancement was highlighted.
• AWS provides a prescriptive approach to modernization through pathways that align with specific customer outcomes and AWS services.
• The session covered the journey of building a modernization practice, including identifying dominant pathways, conducting boot camps, and enabling both technical and business aspects.
• The role of AWS partners in supporting customer modernization projects was emphasized, with a focus on industry expertise and transformational impact.
• The concept of a modernization flywheel was introduced, illustrating the continuous cycle of generating customer interest, defining project scope, proposing solutions, and realizing business value.
• The session also discussed the importance of establishing a CCoE, addressing common customer challenges, and scaling cloud practices.
• Crayon, an AWS partner, shared their success story in establishing a CCoE, focusing on reusable assets, pilot projects, and scaling across subsidiaries.
• Call to actions for partners included executive alignment, leveraging AWS accelerators and tooling, and focusing on customer problems.
• The session concluded with an invitation to use the AWS Skills Builder for continuous learning and a request for feedback on the session.

Insights

• Modernization is not a one-size-fits-all approach; it requires identifying specific pathways and services that align with a customer's unique needs and industry demands.
• Establishing a CCoE is a strategic move that can help organizations systematically approach cloud adoption and modernization, ensuring alignment with business goals and efficient execution.
• AWS's modernization pathways and frameworks provide structured guidance, but they also emphasize the need for customization based on an organization's strengths and customer requirements.
• The role of AWS partners is crucial in the modernization process, as they bring industry-specific expertise and can help customers navigate the complexities of modernization while accelerating project delivery.
• The modernization flywheel concept underscores the iterative nature of modernization, where continuous improvement and alignment with business goals are essential for long-term success.
• The success story of Crayon illustrates the tangible benefits of a well-established CCoE, including the creation of reusable assets, support for a large number of customer projects, and the ability to scale modernization efforts across different regions and subsidiaries.
• The session highlighted the importance of executive support and alignment, as well as the need for a customer-focused approach when building a modernization practice or CCoE.
• The AWS Skills Builder and other training resources are valuable tools for partners and customers to stay updated on AWS services and modernization best practices.