Title

AWS re:Invent 2023 - Optimizing with AWS Trusted Advisor and AWS Well-Architected Framework (SUP311)

Summary

• Speakers: Steven Salim (Senior Solutions Architect, AWS Well-Architected team), Arun Rajan (Principal Product Manager, Trusted Advisor), Carlos Wiley (Enterprise Architect, Georgia Pacific).
• Cloud Optimization: Defined as actions taken to ensure architecture has the right capabilities to deliver business outcomes optimally, encompassing cost, performance, security, operations, and more.
• Reliability Example: Discussed the use of AWS services like Route 53 and Application Recovery Controller for high availability and failure management.
• Well-Architected Framework: A collection of best practices and guidance for optimal AWS workload management, covering six pillars: operation, security, reliability, cost, performance, and sustainability.
• Optimization Process: Involves learning best practices, measuring workloads against them, and continuous improvement.
• Discovery Methods: Automated discovery using AWS tools and conversational discovery through stakeholder meetings.
• AWS Tools for Optimization: Well-Architected Tool for guidance and conversation facilitation, Trusted Advisor for automated system configuration checks and insights.
• Trusted Advisor: Offers over 400 best practice checks across 47 AWS services, with new integrations and categories like operational excellence.
• Prioritization: Urgency and business impact are key dimensions for prioritizing optimization opportunities, with tools like Trusted Advisor Priority and Well-Architected Tool aiding in this process.
• Georgia Pacific's Journey: Carlos Wiley shared their cloud optimization journey, focusing on high availability, disaster recovery, and cost efficiency for their SAP for HANA ERP system, leveraging AWS services and tools like Resilience Hub and Trusted Advisor.

Insights

• Cloud Optimization is Dynamic: The optimized state of a workload evolves with industry trends, business requirements, and AWS's continuous release of new capabilities.
• Automated vs. Conversational Discovery: Automated discovery can quickly identify technical configuration gaps, while conversational discovery ensures alignment with organizational processes and goals.
• Integration of Trusted Advisor and Well-Architected Framework: The integration allows for a more comprehensive approach to optimization by combining automated checks with best practice guidance.
• Prioritization Strategy: The Eisenhower matrix, combined with Trusted Advisor and Well-Architected Framework data, can be used to prioritize optimization efforts effectively.
• Real-World Application: Georgia Pacific's use case demonstrates the practical application of AWS optimization tools and methodologies, emphasizing the importance of aligning technical solutions with business objectives.
• Continuous Improvement: The journey of optimization is ongoing, requiring regular reassessment and adaptation to new AWS features and changing business needs.
• Resource Links and Sessions: The presentation provided additional resources and recommended sessions for attendees to further explore Trusted Advisor and Well-Architected practices.