EdTech Insight – Lessons from a successful cloud journey: Empathy, community, and a smart approach to value

by | Jan 26, 2024 | McKinsey, News & Insights

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Executive Summary and Main Points

Public sector technology leaders are increasingly integrating cloud services to foster innovation and economic efficiency. U.S. cloud spending in this sector is projected to grow significantly, though the return on investment has been variable, with a large portion of funds not fully utilized. The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has embraced cloud as a keystone for its innovation journey, focusing on empathy-driven transformations, forming communities of practice instead of mandating top-down approaches, implementing FinOps for enhanced efficiency, and progressing towards sustainability through optimized resource use. These strategies have led to substantial cost savings and have potential applicability in federal agencies, with a willingness to share best practices and processes.

Potential Impact in the Education Sector

The discussed approaches could revolutionize Further Education, Higher Education, and Micro-credentials by encouraging strategic partnerships and digitalization. The concept of communities of practice can facilitate collaboration and innovation, while FinOps and cloud transformation strategies can lead to significant cost savings. These could help educational institutions manage their resources more effectively and prioritize spending towards student success and research.

Potential Applicability in the Education Sector

Institutes could replicate CMS’s approach by leveraging AI and digital tools, like creating storefronts of pretested educational technologies for use by educators and students. Additionally, utilizing data to drive decision-making could enhance operational efficiency. These strategies can help institutions navigate the digital transformation in education, tailor solutions for diverse learning needs, and achieve sustainability goals.

Criticism and Potential Shortfalls

While the CMS’s cloud transformation showcases efficiency and cost-effectiveness, adopting similar methods in education must consider diverse stakeholder needs and potential resistance to change. Moreover, international case studies reveal variances in how digital transformations in education are managed. Any transfer of such frameworks must consider the ethical and cultural implications, adapting to local educational norms and values.

Actionable Recommendations

To incorporate these technologies into existing or future projects, educational leaders should foster a culture of empathy, establishing trust amongst educators and IT teams. Educational institutions can establish communities of practice to share knowledge and best practices. Developing in-house capabilities for data analysis and FinOps could ensure cost-effective digital transitions. Lastly, strategic partnerships could be formed to benefit from shared cloud and AI solutions that enhance learning and administrative processes.

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Source article: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/lessons-from-a-successful-cloud-journey-empathy-community-and-a-smart-approach-to-value