Many cloud cost-saving initiatives fail, not because of a lack of effort, but because the framework behind them is weak. Businesses often react to sudden billing spikes, apply a quick fix, then hope things will settle down the following month.
But cloud efficiency shouldn’t rely on guesswork. It should be rooted in clear, strategic decision-making.
That’s why we’re diving into three practical frameworks—6Rs, FinOps, and Workload-Based Optimisation—to help you take control of your cloud spend. Here’s how each framework works in the real world.
The 6Rs Framework
Originally created as a migration guide, the 6Rs have evolved into a widely used model for shaping cloud investment strategies. Each “R” reflects a strategic approach to managing workloads, whether to move them, modernise them, or retire them entirely.
When used correctly, the 6Rs help teams make clear, confident decisions about cloud migration and avoid unnecessary costs from unplanned or reactive moves.
Here’s what each “R” stands for:
- Rehost – Move an application to the cloud with no code changes. It’s quick and low risk, but may cost more in the long run.
- Replatform – Make minor adjustments so the app can benefit from cloud-native services. A good balance of speed and efficiency.
- Refactor – Rewrite the app entirely to fit cloud-native architecture. High upfront investment, but significant long-term gains.
- Repurchase – Replace internal applications with SaaS alternatives. Ideal when maintaining legacy systems becomes too costly.
- Retain – Keep workloads on-premises for the time being. Best for systems not yet ready to migrate.
- Retire – Decommission outdated or unnecessary applications. A fast way to cut waste.
Wondering which R is right for your business? Your decision should depend on the workload’s value, complexity, and urgency.
Here’s a quick reference table:
| Scale | Time Pressure | Cost Sensitivity | Recommended Action |
| Small | High | Low | Rehost |
| Medium | Medium | Medium | Replatform |
| Large | Low | High | Refactor |
The FinOps Framework
Cloud costs aren’t just an IT concern, they affect every part of the business, especially finance. As your cloud environment scales, aligning your finance, engineering, and operations teams becomes essential.
Enter FinOps: a modern financial operations practice that enables collaborative cloud cost management with an emphasis on visibility, ownership, and control.
FinOps creates a shared language between teams. No more surprise bills. No more working in silos. Just transparency, accountability, and better decisions.
FinOps operates in three continuous cycles: Inform, Optimise, and Operate, each one building on the last.
INFORM – Build Cloud Cost Visibility
Start by collecting consistent usage data across teams. Apply tagging rigorously, set up dashboards to monitor usage history, and educate teams about costs per workload.
Metrics like cost per application, per team, or per customer build trust between IT and finance.
OPTIMISE – Act on the Data
Once you know where your spend is going, take action. Quick wins include rightsizing, reserving instances, and removing idle resources.
You can also automate non-critical tasks, such as scheduling development environments to shut off outside working hours.
OPERATE – Make Efficiency the Default
Optimisation isn’t a one-off initiative, it needs to become part of your culture. Each team should own its cloud costs and include cost-consciousness in their workflows.
Workload-Based Optimisation
Rather than starting with infrastructure, this approach begins with what really drives your business: workloads. Applications, services, and data are the heart of any modern digital business and should be the focus of your optimisation efforts.
With this framework, you align cloud resources with the specific needs of each workload. After all, not every workload needs top-tier performance, and not every cost needs to be cut to the bone.
Start by grouping workloads into three categories:
- Performance-Driven Optimisation
These workloads prioritise user experience or real-time response, such as customer-facing apps or streaming services.
Use solutions like CDNs, auto-scaling, and regional deployments. With this type, the goal isn’t just cost efficiency, it’s performance reliability.
- Cost-Driven Optimisation
Internal tools, batch jobs, and development environments are perfect candidates for cost-based savings.
Leverage spot instances, schedule on/off cycles, and use tiered storage. Savings gained here can fuel innovation elsewhere.
- Compliance-Driven Optimisation
In industries like healthcare and finance, the priority is compliance, not just cost.
Choose infrastructure based on regulations, such as data residency, encryption, or access control. The right cloud environment (public, private, or hybrid) ensures compliance without compromising efficiency.
Which Framework Is Right for You?
| Framework | Primary Need | Focus Area | Key Benefit |
| 6Rs | Cloud migration | Infrastructure | Structured migration decisions |
| FinOps | Cross-team cost ownership | Process | Visibility and accountability |
| Workload-Based | IT/Operations efficiency | Flexibility | Prioritised, needs-based savings |
These frameworks aren’t competing, instead they’re complementary. Use one, or combine them all. What matters is what works best for your business today.
Cloud Optimisation Is a Strategy, Not Just a Tool
Many organisations are looking for a tool to instantly cut cloud costs. But even the most advanced tool is useless without a solid strategy. A dashboard alone won’t fix overspending.
Lasting cloud efficiency is built through habit. Through decision-making. Through strategies grounded in real business needs. The right framework sets the direction—then the right tools follow.
At Wowrack, we’re here to help you build a cloud foundation that’s efficient, resilient, and built to scale. Our cloud strategy team offers free 1:1 consultations to help you uncover cost-saving opportunities, find hidden waste, and design a practical optimisation plan tailored to your environment.
