How to Mature Your FinOps Capabilities Without Rushing Optimization

In this episode of the FinOps on Azure Podcast, we’re joined by Nicole Boyd for a grounded conversation on how organizations can mature their FinOps capabilities without rushing straight into optimization.

Drawing on her experience working with organizations at different stages of FinOps adoption, Nicole explains why many teams struggle to see results not because they lack tools, but because they try to optimize before establishing strong foundations. The discussion focuses on the importance of measurement, data quality, and realistic expectations, and why FinOps maturity takes time to develop.

Nicole also shares how unclear ownership, limited education, and misaligned behaviors often slow progress, and why FinOps should be treated as an ongoing operating model rather than a one-off initiative.

You can listen to the other episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Episode Highlights

00:00:04 – Intro and Welcome

00:01:59 – Introducing Nicole Boyd

00:02:52 – FinOps Maturity in the Industry

00:04:03 – Examples from the Field

00:05:39 – Defining Business Value

00:07:07 – Handling Abstracted Value

00:14:30 – Expanding FinOps to Other Services

00:22:01 – Total Cost of Ownership

00:25:51 – Data Collection for Cost Allocation

00:30:18 – Practical Steps for Maturity

00:30:18 – Learning and Communities

00:36:23 – Closing Remarks

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