Azure Cost Optimization Tips

Azure cost optimization should be treated as an ongoing architecture and governance practice, not something you do only after receiving a large bill. Some important practices include: Monitor resource usage and identify idle or underutilized resources. Right-size compute resources based on actual workload requirements. Shut down or scale non-production environments when they're not needed. Use appropriate storage tiers and lifecycle policies. Review database capacity and performance requirements regularly. Set budgets and cost alerts. Use Azure-native cost management capabilities to identify spending trends. Remove unused disks, IP addresses, snapshots, and other resources. Evaluate reservations or savings options where workloads are predictable. Apply tagging and resource organization so teams can understand ownership and spending. However, the cheapest architecture is not always the best architecture. A good Azure architect balances cost, performance, reliability, security, scalability, and operational requirements. The real question isn't "How can we make Azure cheaper?" but rather: "How can we achieve the required business outcome with the right level of Azure resources?"