Defining FinOps

To put FinOps into context, let’s look at its derivation, DevOps. The industry often describes DevOps as a set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops). It involves people, processes, and tools that work together in a collaborative culture to accelerate an organization’s ability to deliver services to customers. DevOps isn’t just one tool, nor is it a one-time event. It’s a repeated and ever-evolving practice that serves to ultimately bring value to an organization. Indeed, if it doesn’t bring value to an organization, it is not something worth pursuing. At the same time, if it’s not bringing value, there might be a chance it’s being implemented incorrectly.

Similarly, FinOps is the merging of financial accountability and management of cloud resources with cloud operations. Much like how DevOps is a combination of cultural philosophies, practices, and tools that advocate a collaborative...