DevOps Articles

AWS Cost Optimization Checklist: The Maturity-Based Framework [2026]

In today's cloud-centric world, cost optimization is essential for organizations utilizing AWS. This checklist outlines several actionable strategies to help DevOps teams effectively minimize their cloud spending while maximizing performance.

One of the critical steps recommended is to analyze and monitor resource usage. By regularly reviewing AWS services, teams can identify underutilized resources and shut them down, which can significantly reduce unnecessary expenses. Tools like AWS Cost Explorer and AWS Budgets are invaluable for gaining insights into spending patterns over time.

Another recommended practice is to leverage Reserved Instances and Savings Plans, which can provide substantial cost savings over on-demand pricing. Teams should evaluate their application's performance needs and align them with the right purchasing options to optimize costs strategically.

Furthermore, the checklist encourages implementing tagging strategies for AWS resources. Proper tagging not only helps in tracking costs more effectively but also aids in resource management and governance. Overall, adopting these best practices can lead to sustained efficiency and cost-effectiveness in AWS environments, allowing organizations to grow without the burden of escalating cloud expenses.