Successful cloud modernization involves key elements such as leveraging partners and embracing the role of cloud architects to navigate the increasingly complex landscape. The process requires collaboration since modernization and digitization cannot be achieved alone, with partners being essential for faster and more scalable outcomes. A recent Dynatrace webinar featuring Forrester Principal Analyst Lee Sustar highlighted that cloud modernization entails updating legacy applications to optimize them for cloud environments, requiring rapid, secure, and reliable transitions. Modernization champions, encompassing developers, site reliability engineers (SREs), and cloud architects, are critical in ideating future architectures, optimizing operations, and creating application delivery pipelines. The initial steps of cloud modernization should focus on low-hanging fruit to build confidence and real-world results, often with the guidance of experienced partners. For organizations lacking in-house cloud architect skills, partners provide crucial support and insight from previous projects, while cloud providers offer resources to cultivate architectural practices over time. As cloud modernization accelerates, organizations are advised to prioritize agility and resilience, learning from past experiences to continually evolve and succeed.