A conversation with Varsha Sundar, VP of Global Cloud FinOps at Chubb, on treating FinOps as a science. Learn her proven methodology that has saved millions in cost annually, plus insights on AI automation, optimization strategies, and the future of cloud financial management.
In a recent podcast episode, Varsha Sundar(VP of Global Cloud FinOps at Chubb and FinOps Foundation Ambassador) shared with me her FinOps experiences and expertise. What stood out to me was how she approached cloud financial operations as a science. Drawing from her experience building and scaling FinOps practices at major organizations like Prudential Financial, Experian, and Chubb, Varsha's methodology has delivered impressive results, including $1.3M in annual savings from her first optimization project. You can see the video below.
You can also subscribe to all episodes of the Future of Cloud Optimizatin podcast here:
The Scientific Method in Cloud Financial Management
In the podcast, Varsha explains her methodology, which treats cloud optimization as a scientific endeavor. This approach has proven highly effective across multiple organizations.
The core of her methodology revolves around treating every optimization initiative as a scientific experiment:
- Begin with a clear hypothesis
- Test thoroughly in sandbox environments
- Document proof-of-concepts meticulously
- Scale implementations gradually from development to production
This systematic approach not only yields better results but also helps build credibility with engineering teams, who appreciate the rigorous methodology.
Building Organizational Buy-in Through Data
One of the key insights from Varsha's experience is the importance of building proof before seeking organizational buy-in. This involves:
- Starting with small-scale implementations
- Creating detailed documentation of proof of concepts
- Understanding and addressing various stakeholder perspectives
- Implementing changes incrementally
By letting data and test results lead the way, FinOps practitioners can more effectively drive organizational change and gain support for their initiatives.
The Marriage of Theory and Practice
Varsha emphasizes that true FinOps mastery requires hands-on experience. While theoretical knowledge is important, success comes from:
- Running real-world experiments
- Developing comprehensive business cases
- Learning from practical implementation challenges
- Combining rigorous methodology with actual experience
The Future of FinOps: AI and Automation
Looking ahead, Varsha sees intelligent automation as the future of FinOps. The integration of AI systems could revolutionize cloud cost management by:
- Instantly predicting cost implications of cloud migrations
- Proactively identifying optimization opportunities
- Automating cost capture and analysis
- Making cloud costs more transparent and predictable
This evolution will be particularly valuable for teams transitioning from on-premises environments, providing them with better tools to manage and optimize their cloud spending.
Key Areas of Focus
Throughout the podcast, Varsha highlighted several critical aspects of successful FinOps implementation:
- Balancing performance requirements with cost optimization
- Effectively integrating automated tools with human expertise
- Developing essential skills for FinOps career success
- Staying current with evolving FinOps practices and tools
- Leveraging AI potential in cloud cost estimation and management
By approaching FinOps with a scientific mindset and combining rigorous methodology with practical experience, organizations can achieve repeatable success in their cloud cost optimization efforts. As the field continues to evolve, the integration of AI and automation tools will further enhance our ability to manage cloud costs effectively while maintaining optimal performance.
For the complete discussion and more detailed insights, be sure to listen to the full podcast on your preferred platform using the links above.