Cloud computing is transforming industries, driving changes in communication and application modernisation. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digitization by three to four years, with companies adapting to stay competitive. A McKinsey (2020) survey showed accelerated digital interactions in customer and supply chains. Companies must align cloud goals with KPIs. By 2022, 75% of applications were expected to be migrated to the cloud. While cloud migration enables growth, it also presents challenges like staff training, requiring regular strategic reviews for long-term success.

This study examines the transformative impact of cloud computing on business, focusing on how organisations can stay competitive by identifying KPIs and business objectives crucial for IT transformation. It integrates theoretical insights with practical approaches using academic and industry resources. Cloud maturity models assess an organisation’s readiness for cloud adoption, emphasising IT strategy, security, management efficiency, and alignment with broader business goals and company vision and mission.

Cloud computing has gained significant traction due to its provision of on-demand resources and its capacity to shift financial burdens from capital expenditures (CapEx) to operational expenditures (OpEx). This transition enables organisations to minimise maintenance costs, accelerate time to market, and foster innovation. The prevalent models of cloud service delivery—Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS)—delineate shared responsibilities, thereby facilitating the modernisation of IT infrastructures. The COVID-19 pandemic catalysed the accelerated adoption of cloud technologies, mainly supporting remote work and the expansion of digital services. Nevertheless, this substantial shift necessitates ongoing employee training and a commitment to adaptability. Organisations are positioned to enhance operational efficiency, drive innovation, and maintain a competitive edge within a rapidly evolving digital landscape by aligning their cloud strategies closely with overarching business objectives.