## 2 The Framework
### Validation of the Framework by Experts
#### 2.2.2 Validation of the Framework as a Whole  
In this case, a questionnaire was designed and sent via email to the experts. The main questions included in the artefact are:  
* Correctness in the focus of the framework.
* Opinion on the methodology adopted.
* Opinion on the theoretical contribution of the framework.
* Opinion on the applicability of the framework.
* Opinion on the artefacts (questionnaires) included.  
The questionnaire was delivered to respected professionals by email. Experts completed the questionnaire remotely with the assistance of researchers. The questionnaire includes open questions that asks about different dimensions: Methodological importance, theoretical innovation, practical usability, etc.  
Experts were chosen from academia as well as the industry, with the help of some methods. The number of possible interviewees from the industry were recognized according to the previous working connections and other network interacting activities. Possible applicants from academia were recognized based on personal relationships. To contribute to this study, 15 experts in the area were requested by e-mail to contribute and six of them accepted the request. Contributors were fully informed about the implications of their participation in the research, and to fulfil the ethical matters, every expert was given a research profile.  
The main results from the assessment of the questionnaires are as follows:  
* Framework goals: All chosen professionals have encouragingly evaluated the main objective of the framework. The experts know that because of the generalization of cloud computing and the rising stress on compliance management, research to encourage an awareness and exercise of compliance is essential.
* Methodology: Experts have decided that the design and usage of qualitative methodological methods and literature reviews guarantee the building of a suitable framework.
* Theoretical innovation: Up to now, there is little literature devoted to the improvement of efficiency of the compliance procedure in cloud computing settings. The outcomes acquired from the implementation of the framework will signify an improvement in the knowledge of the management of compliance issues. Accordingly, experts expect that the implementation of the framework will approve the relevance of the procedure and, at the same time, approve the requirement for frameworks to guide the management of these procedures.
* Applicability: It is possible to apply the result of implementing the framework to other projects and there is even the potential to generate the need to develop frameworks in order to guide other main processes in a cloud computing environment.
* Suggestions for improvement: According to the areas for development or manipulation, the following facets should be considered:  
* One expert records the time taken in the questionnaires and the need to consider certain support for the implementation of the framework. He comments that to increase the effect of a potential future commercialization, there is a need for more automated support.
* Another expert is taking care of the maintainability of various dimensions of the framework. This subject thinks that some of the characteristics of the framework will experience volatility and obsolescence.
* A number of characteristics of the framework were stated by experts that will lead to the improvement of the questionnaires in terms of language to improve the readability. Therefore, the process led to several phrases that were rewritten based on the experts' opinions.