Cloud-native architecture, while promising transformative benefits, often falls short of expectations due to widespread misconceptions and implementation challenges. Recent data shows that 78% of organizations fail to achieve their intended business value, with average cloud waste reaching 32% of spend ($8.8M annually for enterprises). The gap between promise and reality stems from underestimated complexity, hidden costs, and organizational resistance.

Security vulnerabilities and compliance issues further compound these challenges, with the average breach costing $4.35M. Most organizations experience negative returns in their first 18 months, with true ROI typically requiring 2.5 years instead of the projected 12 months. While cloud-native architecture can ultimately deliver value, success requires realistic expectations, proper planning, and recognition of the substantial investment in time, resources, and organizational change management needed to achieve positive outcomes.