CLOUDOPTIMA: A STRATEGIC VISION FOR A HOLISTIC CLOUD COST AND SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK

Abstract
CloudOptima is a conceptual, multi-dimensional framework that outlines how organizations can move from reactive cloud cost control to proactive, value-focused cloud financial and sustainability management. The framework combines four dimensions: technical efficiency, financial intelligence, governance and culture, and sustainability and risk, into one vision for future implementation. This paper does not describe any implemented model, prototype, or experiment. Instead, it presents a vendor-neutral architecture and a step-by-step roadmap to support the future development and adoption of CloudOptima in academic and industrial settings. The design is based on established cloud cost optimization practices, FinOps principles, and new ideas in carbon-aware computing. It outlines layers for data and telemetry, analytics and modeling, policy and governance, execution and automation, and user experience. A four-phase implementation path is suggested, beginning with basic visibility and tagging, moving through structured optimization routines, and ultimately including automation, analytics, and dual-objective cost and carbon decision-making. This contribution is a straightforward, stand-alone guide that shows how organizations, including teams with limited resources, could implement CloudOptima using open-source tools and free-tier cloud accounts. This conceptual paper lays the foundation for future prototypes and evaluation studies without exaggerating current technical progress.
Keywords: CloudOptima; Cloud Cost Optimization; Finops; Cloud Governance; Carbon-Aware Computing; Conceptual Framework.