IT strategies must align with the specific needs of each organization, and these needs are often influenced by the people within the company. This includes the expertise of developers, architects, and IT staff who shape how new technologies are implemented.
While executive leadership typically sets the overall vision for IT infrastructure, the actual execution of that vision frequently depends on the skill sets and comfort levels of the developers.
In practice, this means that even when a leadership team pushes for a specific direction, such as moving to a new cloud provider or embracing new development frameworks, the effectiveness of the change is largely determined by how comfortable and familiar the technical teams are with those tools.
There’s no straight road to cloud adoption
Cloud adoption is rarely a simple, linear process. Many organizations find themselves managing a mix of public and private clouds, or even sticking with on-premises infrastructure for specific workloads.
The path to the cloud is often driven by a combination of technological needs, cost considerations, and the human element of IT operations.
Even when a company officially commits to a single cloud provider, in practice, it often uses multiple platforms. This is because different cloud services offer unique features that might be essential for certain applications or workloads.
AWS might offer tools that a development team is comfortable with, while Azure might be better suited for specific business requirements or integration with existing Microsoft products.
The decision to use multiple providers often stems from the fact that developers are already familiar with certain tools. When developers are accustomed to working with AWS, for example, they may resist switching to Azure, even if the company has officially made that choice. The result is a hybrid strategy where both platforms are used in tandem, with each fulfilling specific roles within the organization’s IT ecosystem.
Cloud vs. On-premises
The idea that cloud computing is always cheaper than on-premises infrastructure is a persistent myth. While the cloud offers many advantages in terms of scalability and flexibility, cost savings are not guaranteed, particularly for certain workloads.
For some organizations, running certain applications on-premises is still more cost-effective, especially when factoring in long-term usage, data transfer fees, and storage costs.
For this reason, many companies continue to operate private data centers alongside their cloud services. The decision to retain on-premises infrastructure is often based on a detailed cost-benefit analysis of specific workloads, rather than a blanket preference for cloud or on-premises environments.
The cloud’s primary appeal, therefore, is not always cost, but convenience, giving companies the flexibility to scale, deploy, and manage applications more easily.
Cloud computing is still a small fish in the IT ocean
Despite the rapid growth of cloud services, on-premises IT infrastructure continues to dominate overall IT spending. As of 2024, AWS has achieved a $100 billion annual run rate, but this still represents only a small fraction of the global IT market.
Gartner projects that worldwide IT spending will reach $5.26 trillion in 2024, with public cloud spending accounting for just 12.9%, or $679 billion.
While cloud adoption is increasing at a rate of 20.4%, far outpacing the overall IT market growth of 7.5%, the shift from on-premises infrastructure to cloud will take time.
Many enterprises still rely on traditional systems for mission-key applications, and the migration to the cloud is happening incrementally. This means cloud services, although growing, are still a relatively small part of the broader IT landscape.
Why people, not technology, slow down cloud adoption
One of the biggest hurdles in adopting new technologies like cloud computing is not the technology itself but the people who implement it. Developers, IT staff, and other technical teams often resist change because they are more comfortable with the tools and systems they already know.
While new programming languages, cloud platforms, and development frameworks emerge rapidly, enterprise IT teams tend to adopt these changes slowly to avoid disruption and maintain stability.
This resistance to change can slow down the evolution of an organization’s IT infrastructure. Developers may be hesitant to move away from familiar systems, even when those systems are outdated or less efficient than newer technologies.
The human factor in IT is a double-edged sword: it makes sure of continuity and reliability and slows down innovation and adaptation to new tools.
Why developers stick to what they know (and why it’s not always bad)
Developers’ familiarity with established technologies often ensures operational stability, which can be an advantage in enterprise environments where downtime or disruptions can have severe consequences. This reliance on familiar tools provides a level of predictability, which can be crucial for maintaining continuity in IT operations.
This same reliance can slow the adoption of new, potentially more efficient or cost-effective solutions, such as cloud platforms. While familiarity provides a safeguard against the risks of adopting unproven technologies, it also means that enterprises may miss out on the benefits of innovation.
Want real innovation? Build developer confidence in new tech
For an enterprise to successfully adopt new technologies, developers must be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to use them. While executive leadership sets the vision, developers are the ones who will implement the change, and they need to feel comfortable doing so.
In order to achieve this, companies should focus on providing the right resources, such as hands-on workshops, training programs, and technical support. Initiatives help developers build confidence in using unfamiliar tools, reducing resistance to change.
When developers are confident in their ability to work with new technologies, they become more willing to explore innovative solutions and incorporate them into their daily work. Confidence accelerates the pace of transformation, helping the organization to grow faster and more effectively.
Why execs need to do more than just talk about change
Leadership must call for innovation by providing developers with the time and resources they need to learn new technologies. Former AWS CEO Andy Jassy pointed out that the biggest challenges in cloud adoption are often related to leadership, not technology.
While executives may outline a vision for transformation, developers are the ones responsible for making that vision a reality, and they need both the tools and the time to succeed.
With an environment where developers are encouraged to experiment, learn, and grow, leadership can help drive real, sustainable change. Real leadership requires a commitment to ongoing technical education and support.
Make developers your allies to accelerate innovation
Rather than viewing developers as obstacles to innovation, executives should see them as key allies. Building technical enablement and providing ongoing support turns developers into advocates for change.
Hackathons, training sessions, and collaborative workshops help break down barriers, making developers feel involved in the decision-making process and more invested in the organization’s success.
When transforming developers into allies, companies can accelerate their adoption of new technologies and stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive IT landscape.
Give developers room to learn, and your IT will evolve
A company’s IT strategy will only evolve as fast as its people. In order to keep pace with technological advancements, developers must have the freedom to experiment, fail, and learn without fear of reprisal.
Creating a learning culture is key for supporting innovation and making sure that developers stay up to date with the latest tools and practices.
Executive support plays a key role in this process, by mandating change but by allocating the necessary time and resources for developers to acquire new skills. Without this support, even the most well-intentioned IT strategy can falter, as teams struggle to keep up with the demands of modern technology.
Support developer growth and watch your enterprise thrive
As developers learn and grow, the entire organization benefits. Developers who are given the resources to evolve with the technology around them become more efficient, innovative, and adaptable.
This, in turn, allows the enterprise to adopt new systems and technologies more rapidly, enabling it to remain competitive in a fast-changing marketplace. When the focus is on personal growth, the enterprise’s evolution follows naturally.
