At Wiv, when we first examined how we would like to solve the FinOps automation challenge, we asked ourselves: what’s the right tool for the job? We evaluated various options, from black box solutions to complex, AI-driven platforms, each with its own strengths and limitations. Our journey led us to develop a solution that puts the power of customization directly in the hands of FinOps professionals. We recognized that the complexity of cloud cost management requires a flexible, user-friendly approach that can adapt to the unique needs of each organization.
Workflows 101
Workflows are structured sequences of tasks, decisions, and processes designed to achieve a specific goal or outcome. In the context of FinOps and cloud cost management, workflows represent a series of automated steps that handle various aspects of cloud billing optimization, resource allocation, and financial reporting.
One of the key strengths of workflows lies in their ability to incorporate custom business logic – rules specifically designed to handle various scenarios unique to an organization. This customization allows workflows to adapt to different business needs and manage a variety of situations automatically. Let’s consider a simple example:
This workflow demonstrates how business processes can be automated:
- Analyze relevant data from various sources.
- Apply custom business logic based on your organization’s rules and thresholds.
- Identify the appropriate scenario based on the analysis.
- Execute scenario-specific actions tailored to each possible outcome.
- Report results to stakeholders.
This tailored approach allows teams to automate complex decision-making, ensuring that each scenario is handled consistently and efficiently according to the organization’s unique rules and financial goals.
The Power of Workflows in FinOps
FinOps engineers face the ongoing challenge of managing complex cloud environments while optimizing costs and maintaining operational efficiency. As organizations grow and evolve, so do their cloud infrastructures and financial management needs. This complexity demands a flexible approach to cloud billing optimization that goes beyond one-size-fits-all solutions:
1. Adapting to Unique Organizational Structures
Every company has its own organizational structure, with different departments, teams, and approval processes. Workflows allow FinOps engineers to create automations that align perfectly with their company’s hierarchy and decision-making processes. This ensures that cost optimization efforts are in sync with the organization’s overall structure and goals.
2. Handling Diverse Cloud Environments
Many organizations operate in multi-cloud or hybrid cloud environments, each with its own set of services, pricing models, and optimization strategies. Workflows enable FinOps engineers to create tailored automations for each cloud provider, ensuring comprehensive coverage and effective cost management across the entire cloud ecosystem.
3. Supporting FinOps Maturity Growth
As organizations progress through different stages of FinOps maturity, their needs and capabilities change. Workflows allow for the creation of automations that grow with the organization, from basic cost reporting in the early stages to advanced predictive analytics and automated resource optimization in more mature implementations.
4. Transparency and Control
With workflows, FinOps engineers have full visibility into the automation process. This transparency allows for better understanding, troubleshooting, and refinement of cost optimization strategies. It also provides the control needed to ensure that automations align with company policies and compliance requirements.
5. Adaptability to Change
Cloud services and pricing models are constantly evolving. Workflow-based automations can be quickly adjusted to accommodate new services, pricing changes, or shifts in organizational priorities. This adaptability ensures that FinOps practices remain effective and relevant in a dynamic cloud environment.
6. Facilitating Collaboration
Workflows facilitate collaboration between FinOps engineers, finance teams, and other stakeholders. By creating processes that incorporate input and approvals from various departments, organizations can ensure that cost optimization efforts are aligned with overall business objectives and financial strategies.
7. Enabling Continuous Improvement
The ability to iterate on workflows allows for continuous improvement of FinOps practices. FinOps engineers can analyze the effectiveness of their automations, gather feedback from stakeholders, and make incremental changes to optimize performance and results over time.
Implementing Workflow-Based Automations
Embracing workflows in FinOps automation requires a platform that combines flexibility with ease of use. At Wiv, we’ve developed a powerful workflow automation platform designed specifically for FinOps engineers. With simple functionality, hundreds of predefined steps, templates and integration with major cloud providers, our platform empowers you to create complex, flexible workflows tailored to your organization’s unique needs.
By putting the power of customization in your hands, we enable you to build efficient, effective FinOps automations that drive real results and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of cloud cost management. Our solution allows you to create customized automated FinOps workflows without extensive coding knowledge, saving valuable time and resources.
In conclusion, workflows represent a powerful tool in the FinOps toolkit, offering the flexibility, customization, and adaptability needed to tackle the complex challenges of cloud cost management. By leveraging workflow-based automations, organizations can streamline their FinOps processes, enhance governance, and ultimately reduce costs more effectively.
