Building the Ideal FinOps Team for Cloud Cost Optimization

When forming a FinOps team, having the right mix of skills is crucial for effective cloud cost management. Below is the ideal blend of skills needed for a team ready to tackle the complexities of cloud optimization:
Core Team Skills

• IT Finance: A solid understanding of ROI, budgeting, and cost models is essential to bridge the gap between IT and Finance.
• Operations: Hands-on experience with managed services, automation, and recommending operational improvements is invaluable.
• Business Intelligence/Data Analysis: Analyzing business operations data to extract actionable insights is key to informed decision-making.
• Data Engineering: Managing and preparing data for efficient analysis ensures accurate and timely insights.

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Pro-Tip for Getting Started
​If you’re just beginning to build your FinOps team, starting small with a versatile, cross-skilled resource can be highly effective. Look for individuals with the following key skills:

• Cloud Operations / DevOps: Expertise in cloud optimization and the ability to collaborate with Development and Engineering teams.
• Data Engineering: Data wrangling is critical, and familiarity with Python can help manage billing data, resource inventories, and price lists.
• BI/Data Analysis: Proficiency with spreadsheets and visualization tools is essential for generating insights for Finance and leadership.
• Management: As your organization grows, management experience will be crucial for scaling the team and driving long-term success.

Even with just one versatile team member, leveraging automation can significantly enhance your cloud cost optimization efforts. As the workload increases, this individual can take on a leadership role and guide the growth of the team to meet evolving demands.

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Have Questions About Building a FinOps Team?
Whether you're just starting out or scaling your team, we’d love to hear from you. Join the conversation over on LinkedIn, or connect with me directly on my LinkedIn page to share your challenges, ask questions, or explore opportunities to collaborate on building the ultimate FinOps strategy. Let's work together to optimize your cloud costs!