Microsoft Azure recently announced the public preview of the Advisor Well-Architected assessment. This self-guided questionnaire aims to provide tailored, actionable recommendations to optimize Azure resources while aligning with the Azure Well-Architected Framework (WAF) principles. The assessments are designed to enhance system performance, resiliency, security, and cost-efficiency while ensuring operational excellence.
The Azure Well-Architected Framework (WAF), which spans five pillars, including reliability, security, cost optimization, operational excellence, and performance efficiency, complements the FinOps framework by focusing on delivering business value and continually improving processes.
(Source: Azure Well-Architected Framework)
According to the company, the assessment experience is positioned as a companion in the journey toward excellence in cloud workload optimization. It aims to reduce unplanned outages, avoid bloated bills, maintain compliance with industry regulations, detect vulnerabilities, boost performance, and ensure operational excellence. Two new assessments are added with the preview release:
In the Azure Portal, users can select Advisor from any page and choose New Assessment from the Assessments page. Subsequently, they choose the subscription, workload (optional attribute), assessment type, and assessment name and enter a name for the assessment. By continuing with the steps, users will be redirected to the MS Learn platform, where they can complete the assessment.
(Source: Microsoft Learn)
The Advisor Well-Architected assessment doesn't just provide recommendations; it integrates them into operational processes, aligning with the workload's software development lifecycle (SDLC) for ongoing improvements. This fosters a continuous improvement cycle, reassuring Azure customers that their workloads are regularly updated and optimized. The trade-offs within the Azure Well-Architected Framework encourage a comprehensive approach to designing and managing cloud workloads, equipping customers to make informed decisions that align with business objectives.
Wessel Beulink, a cloud architect at Rubicon, concluded in his blog post on the public preview of the Advisor Well-Architected assessment:
The Well-Architected Framework assessment on Azure Advisor is a tool for enhancing your cloud solutions. It’s a free service, reflecting Microsoft’s dedication to providing valuable tools for cloud management. Use this assessment to elevate your Azure architecture without incurring any costs.
Lastly, the Advisor Well-Architected assessment aligns with the FinOps framework— a set of best practices for optimizing cloud costs, enhancing operational efficiency, and driving business value. This alignment provides Azure customers with a secure foundation for their cloud solutions, enabling them to proactively identify cost-saving opportunities, avoid overspending, and ensure that their solutions are both technically sound and financially sustainable.