How It Works
From cloud cost data to accountable action
TruCost turns AWS billing into clear ownership, governance, and savings follow-through using a repeatable operating rhythm.
What Happens After You Say Yes
- A secure, read-only AWS connection (payer and linked accounts)
- A reliable allocation model across BU, App, Environment, and Owner
- Budgets, alerts, and anomaly visibility aligned to accountable owners
- Optimization tracking so potential savings becomes realized outcomes
The TruCost Method
Step 1 - Connect
- Set up read-only access with least privilege
- Discover accounts, services, and key cost drivers
- Baseline spend and trends for the last 3-6 months
Output: Access validated, baseline dashboard ready, top drivers identified.
Step 2 - Normalize and Allocate
- Normalize tags and names across accounts
- Create virtual tags where AWS tags are missing or inconsistent
- Allocate shared and untagged cost using agreed rules
Output: BU/App/Env/Owner allocation view, reduced unallocated cost, ownership clarity.
Step 3 - Govern and Control
- Set budgets and guardrails by BU/App where needed
- Configure alerts and exception reporting (spikes, drift, untagged growth)
- Prepare leadership-ready reporting for monthly reviews
Output: Budget views and alerts, governance pack template, decision-ready reporting.
Step 4 - Optimize and Track Outcomes
- Prioritize optimization opportunities by impact and effort
- Assign owners and track actions
- Track potential vs realized savings over time
Output: Opportunity backlog with owners, realized outcomes tracking, continuous improvement loop.
Deliverables
| Platform outputs | Multi-account visibility, allocation by BU/App/Env/Owner, budgets and alerts, anomaly detection, optimization tracking (potential vs realized). |
| FinOps Leadership outputs | Monthly executive review, monthly insights pack, weekly office hours to drive follow-through and alignment (Platform + FinOps Leadership plan). |
Typical Timeline
| Week 1 | Access validation, baseline dashboards, top cost drivers, initial anomalies and quick wins. |
| Week 2 | Allocation model (BU/App/Env/Owner), tag normalization/virtual tags, shared/untagged rules. |
| Weeks 3–4 | Budgets and alerts, leadership pack, optimization tracking and operating cadence. |
What We Need From You
- A single point of contact (Finance/FinOps + Engineering/SRE)
- Access approval (read-only) for payer and relevant linked accounts
- Any existing BU/App/Owner mapping (even partial is fine)
- For Leadership plan: a recurring monthly leadership slot (30-45 minutes)
Most teams see meaningful insights within the first week.
No. Virtual tags and normalization help build reliable ownership even with gaps.
Yes. It is designed for multi-account AWS organizations.
No. The Leadership plan adds cadence, governance packs, and follow-through.
FAQ
Want a predictable cloud cost operating rhythm?
See how TruCost combines allocation, anomalies, and governance to keep AWS spend controlled and accountable.
