In cloud environments, the most obvious problem isn’t always the real problem. Spikes in cost, underutilized resources, or sudden performance dips might seem like the issue - but they’re often just symptoms of a deeper challenge.
I’ve encountered this countless times during my journey as an engineer and leader. At Yotascale, we’ve built our philosophy around uncovering the true problems behind cloud inefficiencies. In a recent conversation with Joe Lynch on the "Always an Engineer" podcast, we explored the art and science of problem discovery. Joe’s insights reinforced a key lesson: “You can’t solve what you don’t fully understand.”
Let’s dive into how devOps and platform engineers can use these principles to uncover hidden challenges and drive meaningful cloud cost optimization.
Joe Lynch is a technology executive and engineering leader with extensive experience in building high-performing teams, driving large-scale software transformations, and fostering innovation in complex technical environments. Joe has helped companies like Twilio and Google navigate growth and efficiency challenges, and technical evolution.
The Challenge of Defining the Problem
Joe put it perfectly: “Sometimes what you think is the problem is really just a symptom.” This is especially true in cloud environments. A sudden spike in costs might lead you to suspect a rogue instance, but the root cause could be something entirely different, like misaligned auto-scaling rules or outdated configurations.
I’ve seen this firsthand. Early in Yotascale’s journey, we worked with a team that was struggling to manage unpredictable cloud costs. On the surface, it looked like their storage costs were out of control. But after deeper analysis, we discovered the real issue was poor data lifecycle management. Once the true problem was identified, the team was able to implement archiving policies that brought costs under control.
The Importance of Asking the Right Questions
Effective problem discovery starts with curiosity. As Joe said, “You have to ask the questions that uncover what’s really going on.” In cloud cost management, these questions might include:
- Is this issue recurring or isolated?
- What changes have been made recently to the environment?
- How does this problem affect broader cloud spend and system performance?
At Yotascale, we use these questions as a starting point. For example, when investigating an unexpected cost spike, we’ll ask, “Was a new resource deployed? Did a workload’s behavior change? Is there a tagging gap affecting cost allocation?” These inquiries often lead to insights that a surface-level review would miss.
Tools and Techniques for Problem Discovery
Uncovering the real problem requires a combination of tools, techniques, and structured thinking. Here are some methods that work:
- Tagging and Cost Allocation: Proper tagging provides visibility into who’s using what, making it easier to identify spending patterns and inefficiencies.
- Historical Data Analysis: Comparing usage trends over time can reveal anomalies or changes that align with cost increases.
- Dependency Mapping: Understanding how workloads interact can help uncover cascading inefficiencies.
One Yotascale customer used dependency mapping to address rising costs in their multi-cloud environment. What they discovered was surprising: redundant data transfers between clouds were driving up costs unnecessarily. By addressing these inefficiencies, they saved thousands of dollars each month.
Common Pitfalls in Problem Discovery
Even with the right tools, it’s easy to fall into traps that derail problem discovery:
- Jumping to Conclusions: Implementing a solution before fully understanding the issue can lead to wasted effort.
- Overlooking Context: Ignoring changes in team behavior, workload patterns, or business needs can obscure the true cause of a problem.
- Data Overload: With so many metrics available, it’s easy to get lost without focusing on actionable insights.
Joe’s advice here is invaluable: “Slowing down to ask the right questions often speeds up the resolution.” Taking the time to validate your understanding can save significant time and resources down the line.
The Role of Collaboration in Problem Solving
Uncovering the real problem is rarely a solo effort. In my experience, the best insights often come from cross-functional collaboration. At Yotascale, some of our most successful optimizations have been the result of engineers working alongside finance teams to align on goals and share perspectives.
For example, one team struggling with unallocated cloud spend discovered that their tagging policies didn’t align with their financial reporting needs. By working together, engineers and finance established a more robust tagging strategy, leading to better visibility and control over costs.
Moving from Discovery to Action
Discovery is just the first step. Once you’ve identified the real problem, you need a clear plan to address it:
- Validate Your Findings: Use data to confirm your hypothesis.
- Align on a Resolution Plan: Ensure all stakeholders are on the same page about next steps.
- Monitor Results: Track the impact of your changes to ensure the problem is resolved and doesn’t reoccur.
As I often say, “Discovery is just the beginning - what you do next determines your impact.” At Yotascale, we’ve built processes to ensure every discovery leads to meaningful action.
Conclusion
In cloud cost management, the most valuable skill isn’t just fixing problems - it’s finding the right ones to fix. By asking better questions, leveraging the right tools, and fostering collaboration, cloud engineers can uncover hidden inefficiencies and drive impactful optimizations.
Whether you’re investigating a sudden cost spike or planning a long-term strategy, remember: the real problem often lies beneath the surface. Take the time to discover it, and you’ll be on your way to more effective cloud cost management.
At Yotascale, we’re here to help you navigate this process with clarity and confidence. Let’s uncover the real problems - together.
