A Pragmatic Guide to Cloud Cost Optimization

Cloud cost optimization is a continuous practice, not a project. Start with visibility and accountability:

1. Establish a clear cost allocation model (accounts, tags, and data contracts).
2. Set budgets and alerts tied to services/teams.
3. Right-size and turn off idle resources; prefer autoscaling.
4. Use commitment discounts carefully; avoid lock-in without growth forecasts.

Measure savings against business outcomes and developer productivity—not just total spend.