As cloud reliance grows across a broad spectrum of industries, the importance of maintaining control over costs and processes grows with it. So, are you ready to be the cloud hero your organization needs?
As we’ve covered in previous blogs, a Financial Operations (FinOps) framework is a great way to optimize a business’ cloud, whilst encouraging ownership and collaboration. But what if we told you that there was a way to become a FinOps certified expert?
Gaining FinOps certified status not only contributes towards personal career development, but also allows you to position yourself as your organization’s very own cloud hero – ready to save the day with cost management expertise.
FinOps Recap
The FinOps Foundation defines FinOps as an operational framework and cultural practice which maximizes the business value of cloud, enables timely data-driven decision making, and creates financial accountability through collaboration. A FinOps approach can help businesses prevent underused cloud resources and redundant costs, optimizing every aspect of an organization whilst maximizing value. The framework underpinning FinOps revolves around six core principles:
- Teams need to collaborate
- Decisions are driven by business value of the cloud
- Everyone takes ownership of their cloud usage
- Data should be accessible and timely
- A centralized team drives collaboration
- Take advantage of the variable cost model of the cloud
Following these six principles whilst undertaking a FinOps journey, businesses can work collaboratively to optimize spend in the cloud. So, who are the FinOps Foundation and why should you get involved?
The FinOps Foundation
The FinOps Foundation focusses on improving cloud financial management through best practices, education, and standards. It has a growing community of over 16,000 members from more than 5,000 companies. With the mission of ‘advancing the people who manage the value of the cloud’, the FinOps foundation aims to create connections, inspire growth and empower best practices.
By promoting FinOps awareness and education, the FinOps Foundation aims to expand opportunities for everyone and every organization. They focus on empowering practitioners to impact their organizations and careers. By solving cloud financial management challenges together, the FinOps community as-a-whole benefits, and all contributors can participate and grow.
As well as providing a cloud optimization framework to follow as a business, the FinOps Foundation also have training opportunities so that you can practice your knowledge, or even become FinOps Certified. There are a few different course options, so deciding which one is right for you and your goals is a crucial first step.
Getting FinOps Certified
The FinOps Foundation’s range of certifications are designed to elevate the standards of cloud financial management for both individuals and organizations. All of these certifications validate expertise in FinOps practices, providing informed knowledge into managing cloud costs effectively.
For individuals, we recommend starting with the free ‘Introduction to FinOps’ course, which provides a basic understanding of the world of FinOps and getting to know the framework like the back of your hand.
From there, the path to becoming FinOps certified diverges, with courses aligned to differing roles and professional objectives. Qualifications include:
- FinOps Certified Practitioner
- FinOps Certified Engineer
- FinOps Certified Professional
In addition, there’s also training in FOCUS – the FinOps Open Cost & Usage Specification – which aims to create consistency in a multi-cloud world. You can find the full list and details of FinOps certifications for individuals here.
Meanwhile, organizations as a whole can become FinOps certified. Offering five different certifications for Vendor Members, Training Partners and Enterprises, organizational accreditations include:
- FinOps Certified Platform
- FinOps Certified Training Provider
- FinOps Certified Enterprise
It’s worth noting that these qualifications have more stringent requirements, so be sure to do your homework to gauge where your organization is on the journey to becoming FinOps certified.
Embracing FinOps is not just a smart practice; it’s a transformative approach to the cloud. By working towards becoming FinOps certified, you as an individual gain the skills to optimize cloud costs, encourage collaboration, drive financial accountability within your organization, and develop within your own career. Plus, you’ll join a vibrant community of professionals dedicated to maximizing the value of the cloud. Are you ready to become a cloud hero?
Consider becoming FinOps certified today; find out more on the FinOps Foundation website.