Implementing a cloud-hosted application may be vastly less complicated than implementing on-premise software, but that doesn't mean it's a walk in the park. There are plenty of ways a cloud-based implementation can go south, and companies can best avoid them by planning carefully before taking flight.
Indeed, planning an implementation for the cloud environment is in many ways very similar to any IT endeavor: Much depends on the scale of your operation and project. It's important to define the goals for the application as minutely as possible. Determine how it will fit into the company's larger IT backbone, and set metrics for success.
Source: CRM Buyer