Why FinOps Is Still Stuck—and What Comes Next

If it feels like your FinOps progress has hit a wall, you're not alone. Despite all the tools and talent, most teams still can’t move from monitoring to meaningful action. This edition dives into the real reasons cloud ROI remains elusive—and how FinOps leaders can finally break the loop.

Cloud ROI Is Still Out of Reach

Despite rising investment in FinOps tools and processes, most teams are still missing the mark. Our 2025 Cloud Industry Insights Report reveals:

• 78% of IT leaders can’t prove cloud ROI
• 91% say Kubernetes costs remain unoptimized
• 65% say even basic cost-saving actions go unimplemented

The data reveals a confidence crisis—where perceived maturity far outpaces execution. This report breaks down the perception vs. performance gap, and what "automated" doesn't always mean actionable.

➡️ Read the key takeaways: https://utm.guru/uivfo

Why Most FinOps Teams Are Still Stuck

In his FinOps X talk, CloudBolt CTPO Kyle Campos made the case that FinOps needs a reboot. Too many teams are stuck in endless reporting cycles—without the ability to take meaningful, automated action. Kyle breaks down the structural blockers holding teams back, and shares a new way forward: one that prioritizes dynamic, ML-assisted execution over passive dashboards.

➡️ Read Kyle's take: https://utm.guru/uivfq

What We Learned at FinOps X 2025

What happens when hundreds of FinOps practitioners compare notes? Patterns emerge. From the persistence of “manual automation” to the rise of embedded FinOps champions, this year’s FinOps X made it clear that most teams are still early in their execution journey. This recap breaks down the top takeaways—and what they signal for the next era of FinOps.

➡️ Read the recap: https://utm.guru/uivfz

🪩 Upcoming Events 🪩

We’re not just sharing insights—we’re helping teams act on them. Here’s where you can connect with us:

• EKS Auto Mode + Kubernetes Cost Efficiency Workshop (July 23 | 9:00 AM–2:30 PM PT | San Francisco, CA): Join AWS and CloudBolt for an exclusive, in-person workshop at the AWS Gen AI Lounge. You'll get hands-on with EKS Auto Mode and StormForge’s ML-powered optimization to cut Kubernetes costs, improve reliability, and streamline operations. Designed for DevOps, SREs, Platform Engineers, and Cloud Architects. Breakfast and lunch included. Reserve your spot: https://utm.guru/uivfZ

✨ What’s New in FinOps ✨

From evolving cost frameworks to Kubernetes optimization and media spotlights—here’s what’s been making waves in FinOps this month:

• FOCUS 1.2 Just Dropped: The FinOps Foundation’s latest spec adds seven new columns for better invoice reconciliation, SaaS/PaaS cost tracking, multi-currency normalization, and virtual currency lifecycle analysis. Supported by Microsoft, Databricks, Grafana, and more. Learn what’s new: https://utm.guru/uiwl9
• CloudBolt's CII Report Featured in TechStrong: TechStrong highlights our latest industry research: 78% of IT leaders can’t prove cloud ROI, and 91% still struggle with Kubernetes cost optimization. The verdict? Automation is widespread—but still painfully manual. Read the coverage: https://utm.guru/uiwmj
• StormForge + CloudBolt on The New Stack Makers Podcast: Chief Strategy Officer Yasmin Rajabi reflects on the StormForge acquisition and how CloudBolt is building toward intelligent, integrated Kubernetes cost optimization—with a real focus on usability and real-world impact. Listen to the episode: https://utm.guru/uiwmA