Skip to content
Beta

Adoption Framework

The STACKIT Adoption Framework is your practical guide to anchoring a broad, repeatable, and scalable cloud usage within your organization following initial technical successes. It provides a flexible concept tailored to your individual needs and existing system landscapes to modernize operational processes, systematically empower teams, and safeguard technical excellence.

Understanding the Adoption Framework

Section titled “Understanding the Adoption Framework”

The STACKIT Adoption Framework supports organizations in translating the initial momentum of individual migration projects into a durable, organization-wide cloud capability. It covers the entire organizational and procedural change following infrastructure deployment—from adapting operating models and ITIL processes to role-based competency development and the provisioning of standardized, secure development environments.

Framework overview

Section titled “Framework overview”

The overview below summarizes the adoption journey from the platform foundation to a modernized operating model. It helps teams see which module answers which question, and in what order the platform, people, and process work depends on each other.

Swipe sideways to see the whole diagram
STACKIT Cloud Adoption Framework Sequence across the three Adoption modules Landing Zone, Cloud Empowerment, and Adapting Operating Models with their pages. Landing Zone MODULE 1 Landing Zone Build the secure, standardised platform foundation before the first workload moves in. Overview Overview The six building blocks, in short Landing Zones in the Migration Framework (leaves the Adoption Framework) Landing Zones in the Migration Framework Full guidance lives in the Migration Framework: platform and application landing zones, and STACKIT acceleration assets MIGRATION FRAMEWORK Cloud Empowerment MODULE 2 Cloud Empowerment Close capability gaps with role-specific learning paths and recognised certifications. Skill Gap Analysis Skill Gap Analysis Role inventory and gap matrix Training Programme Training Programme Six role-specific learning tracks Certifications Certifications STACKIT University and beyond Adapting Operating Models MODULE 3 Adapting Operating Models Move from reactive IT operations to cloud-native delivery, ownership, and measurable performance. DevOps & YBIYRI DevOps & YBIYRI Team topologies and ownership Infrastructure-as-Code Infrastructure-as-Code Declarative, reviewable infra CI/CD Pipelines CI/CD Pipelines Delivery capability and gates ITIL Modernisation ITIL Modernisation Cloud-speed change and incident DORA Metrics DORA Metrics Delivery performance signals Workforce Transition Workforce Transition Role and skills development Service Catalogue Service Catalogue Cloud services as products MSP Governance MSP Governance Partner control, no lock-in Multi-Team Coordination Multi-Team Coordination Dependencies across teams Disaster Recovery Disaster Recovery RTO, RPO, tested continuity Back to Advisory Framework Back to Advisory Framework Strategy, business case, and governance before adoption. Continue to Architecture Framework Continue to Architecture Framework Reference architectures and building blocks for design. Continue to Migration Framework Continue to Migration Framework Plan and deliver workload migrations with proven methods.

Purpose and goals

Section titled “Purpose and goals”

The Adoption Framework was developed to address typical challenges following a cloud migration, such as stagnant release cycles, manual workarounds, and a lack of acceptance within teams. It ensures that technology investments are directly translated into measurable business value.

Typical goals of the framework are:

Agile Operating Model (Target Operating Model Shift)

Establishing modern collaboration models such as “You Build It, You Run It” (YBIYRI) and adapting ITIL processes (e.g., change management and CMDB strategies) to cloud speed.

Systematic Capability Building (Capability Empowerment)

Overcoming knowledge barriers through skill gap analyses and role-specific qualification paths from the STACKIT University.

Secure Technological Foundation (Landing Zone Governance)

Push-button provisioning of standardized platform and application landing zones that automatically inherit central governance, identity, network, and security standards.

Measurable Transformation Success (Performance Measurement)

Continuous and objective monitoring of software delivery capability and process agility based on the four standardized DORA metrics.

How to use this framework effectively

Section titled “How to use this framework effectively”

Use this framework as a practical navigation tool to guide your organization step-by-step through the various dimensions of cloud adoption. Each chapter provides concrete templates, best practices, and playbooks.

Recommended approach:

  1. Establish Landing Zones: Set up a secure, automated platform foundation using the Landing Zone Accelerator, which serves as a single source of truth for policies.
  2. Adapt Operating Model: Restructure team topologies (DevOps & YBIYRI) and modernize existing ITIL processes.
  3. Analyze Competency Gaps: Conduct a skill gap analysis to determine the precise training needs of your teams.
  4. Activate Learning Paths: Start the STACKIT University training program and secure learning success through standardized certifications.
  5. Measure Process Performance: Use DORA metrics to objectively identify and continuously resolve bottlenecks in your release and deployment pipelines.

Practical guidance

Section titled “Practical guidance”

Successful cloud adoption is primarily a leadership task. Provide your employees with protected experimentation environments (sandboxes) and structured learning hours to facilitate the transition to new role profiles. Proactively and early on involve employee representatives (works councils) in the change process through qualification agreements. Create transparency by internally celebrating successes such as passed certifications and establish a failure- and learning-friendly corporate culture.