Microsoft Learn FinOps modules
Two free Microsoft Learn modules built on the FinOps Framework: "Get started with FinOps" for the principles and core ideas, and "Adopt FinOps on Azure" for the domains and capabilities, the Microsoft tools that support each one, and a walk-through of a FinOps iteration.
Course
Other
Microsoft
A few hours
Beginner
Free
What it is
Microsoft Learn has two free FinOps modules whose content, Microsoft says, is based on the FinOps Framework published by the FinOps Foundation:
- Get started with FinOps: an introduction to the framework, its principles, core components and good practice.
- Adopt FinOps on Azure: an intermediate module of eight units covering how to understand cloud usage and cost, quantify business value, optimise usage and cost, manage the FinOps practice, and conduct a FinOps iteration, with a module assessment at the end.
Why take them
They join the vendor-neutral framework to concrete Azure tools: Cost Management, Advisor, reservations and savings plans, exports and the open source FinOps toolkit. The "conduct a FinOps iteration" unit is especially useful because it shows FinOps as a repeated cycle of picking a goal, measuring it and improving it, which is how real teams work.
What you will be able to do
By the end of the Adopt module, Microsoft lists that you can describe FinOps domains and capabilities, decide how to start adopting FinOps, apply Microsoft resources to implement it, and conduct a FinOps iteration.
How to use them well
Do "Get started" first, then "Adopt FinOps on Azure" with your Azure subscription open. For each domain, find the matching place in the portal: Cost analysis for understanding cost, budgets for planning, Advisor for optimisation. If you are on the AWS or Google Cloud path, the modules are still worth it for the framework walk-through; skip the Azure tool units.
Prerequisites and time
Basic cloud concepts and a basic idea of pay-per-use pricing. Each module takes an hour or two.
Free or paid
Free with a Microsoft account. Completing the assessment adds it to your Learn profile.
Best for: learners on the Azure path, and anyone who wants a structured, free tour of the FinOps Framework.
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