It’s now become almost a cliché to state cloud computing isn’t always the cheapest option compared with on premise or some hybrid configuration.

In this episode we’ll be talking about how cloud cost management has now become a core competency for tech professionals today and what CIOs can do to avoid cloud bill shock and maximise the value of their cloud service agreements by ensuring they’re using the right services for the right tasks, as well as turning them off when they’re not using them.

CIO50 alumnus, Ian Robinson, CIO with Water NSW – one of the world’s largest utilities – shares his recent experiences of managing a vastly more complex digital environment that has seen the organisation acquire a large and growing digital footprint.

He says he’s the first to admit that cloud services can be a bit like crack cocaine, explains how he’s taking specially during dev opps cycles, and explains how he’s taking steps to develop a new and robust governance framework while trying to increase general awareness of cloud usage and costs amongst his team.

Also on the show is Gartner VP for CIO research, Chris Ganly who predicts that cost management is on track to becoming one of the most important elements informing cloud planning, procurement and management for those organisations serious about developing effective agile practices in today’s uncertain operational environment.