Cost Planning now available in Cloud Cost Optimization

Note:This feature is available with Cloud Cost Optimization.

Flexera One has introduced the Cost Planning feature (Cloud > Cost Optimization > Cost Planning) to enhance the usability and functionality of viewing and analyzing cloud spend. Previously known as Budgets (Cloud > Cost Optimization > Budgets), this feature enabled teams to track only their actual cloud spend against a defined budget.

With Cost Panning, FinOps teams can now define plans and manage budgeting and forecasting data cohesively. Forecasting is the primary step in creating an accurate cost plan, enabling teams to estimate future cloud spending and keep their cost in line. As a result, they can manage their cloud spend more efficiently.

Additionally, FinOps teams can now adopt a decentralized approach to forecasting and budgeting cloud spend. Only teams with cost access (at the organizational or billing center level) can view and manage these plans, ensuring controlled visibility and governance.

Enhancements to existing functionality

Cost Planning includes all the budget planning features along with the following new enhancements. This feature enables you to:

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Create a plan using the New Plan button.

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Use the new Billing Centers level dimensions to provide billing center users access to view segments and actual spending related only to their specific billing centers.

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Create a budget and forecast independently.

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Create a budget from the forecast data by using the Copy Data From Forecast button.

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Automatically retrieve the forecast data from the AI model by using the Fill From Historical Data button or manually entering the forecast data.

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Export the forecast data and the budget data to either CSV or Excel (XLSX).

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View the forecast variance (percent of actual spend versus forecast values).

For more information, see Cost Planning in the Flexera One Help.