FinOps is broken. How I "fixed" it

Let me ask you something.

FinOps today has incredible tools. The kind of tools that make you say, “Wow, they thought of everything.” And then there are the consultants - world-class, thanks to the FinOps Foundation’s relentless efforts. AI? It’s everywhere, powering these tools with cutting-edge algorithms and insights.

So, why does managing IT spend still feel like dragging a boulder uphill?

That’s the question I’ve been chewing on.

As an IT strategist, I am watching companies throw good money at shiny new tools, hoping to “fix” their tech spending problems. But here’s the dirty little secret: the tools aren’t broken.

It’s the disconnect between your teams.

And no off-the-shelf product is going to solve that.

The real problem is not the tools

FinOps tools today are incredibly powerful. They slice, dice, and analyze your data like pros. They give you dashboards, reports, and forecasts.

But here’s the catch: They can’t manage people.

Finance sees the cost. IT sees the infrastructure. Operations sees the workflows.

And nobody talks the same language.

I’ve spoken to companies. Ran short surveys. Heard their frustrations. Watched as finance teams stare at technical logs like they’re reading ancient scripts, and IT wonders why nobody understands their alerts.

Here’s another reality that no one likes to discuss: in some organizations, there are techies still stuck in defense mode.

You know the type - they’ve been running the same systems for years, and they’re convinced it’s the only “right” way to do things. They ignore the recommendations of FinOps practitioners because, in their minds, new tech equals unnecessary disruption.

So, it’s not the tools. It’s the silos. The disconnect.

The sheer chaos of trying to make very different teams work together.

The gap is between data and action

If no one owns a problem, it never gets solved.

So, what’s the alternative?
Technology that actually works.

I’m not talking about another overly complicated tool that needs a PhD to operate.
I’m talking about a tech solution that makes IT spend management simple, actionable, and effective.

The eureka moment

After diving into this mess, I found the real answer wasn’t another tool. It was a concept. A way to bridge these silos without tearing up what already works.

Let's call it Maya Matter(Just a concept name for reference).

Now, this isn’t some shiny product I’m pitching. It’s a framework. A model. A smarter way to coordinate teams around FinOps without adding more complexity.

Here’s the big idea - Maya Matter

Maya Matter is built around one idea: connection.

It doesn’t replace your tools. Instead, it plugs into your existing systems - your cloud provider, telemetry, third party tools, or cost data - and becomes the glue that brings everything together.

Think of it as an AI-powered assistant that doesn’t just connect your data points - it ties them together with your business goals and strategies.

No, I’m not talking about another dashboard. I’m talking about an AI agent powered by a custom brain (A vertical LLM).

Planning for an upcoming Black Friday sale? Maya integrates your tools and telemetry data with your sales projections, so every decision is aligned with your strategy.

Here’s where it gets interesting.

It analyzes your usage patterns, studies your workflows, and, over time, becomes smarter at optimizing your IT spend.

It’s not just a passive observer. Maya can automatically optimize resources based on its training. Think about that - an agent that actively helps you save costs without you lifting a finger.

Over time, it trains itself as if it were an internal team member. And because it’s built on a vertical LLM (large language model), it keeps getting better at understanding your unique needs.

How Maya Matter works in practice

Imagine this scenario:

Your cloud costs spike overnight. Maya notices the pattern, digs into the data, and flags the issue before you even wake up.

If there’s a spending anomaly, the agent doesn’t just flag it. It suggests fixes, assigns tasks, or even initiates workflows based on pre-defined rules.

Finance gets a plain-English breakdown of what happened. IT gets technical recommendations. Operations gets an alert if workflows need adjusting.

It can send alerts, answer questions, and suggest actions in plain, understandable language.

And it all happens through the systems your teams already use - Slack, Teams, WhatsApp, you name it.

The best part? Maya doesn’t just connect the dots. It learns from every interaction, getting better at predicting and solving problems over time.

It’s like having a highly skilled project manager who never misses a detail, works 24/7, and knows every corner of your FinOps operation.

The Human Factor

One of Maya’s biggest advantages? It’s not just about the here and now.

Let’s say a key employee resigns or moves to another role. Typically, their knowledge leaves with them, creating a massive headache for whoever steps in next.

With Maya, that’s not an issue. All the data, context, and insights are stored within the system. New employees can hit the ground running, and Maya can even help train them on how the company’s setup works.

This continuity alone can save countless hours of frustration and missteps.

A custom fit, not a cookie-cutter solution

This is where I draw the line.

As an IT strategist, I can’t stand cookie-cutter solutions. They never fit right, and they never account for the beautiful uniqueness of your business.

Here’s where I get personal.

That’s why Maya Matter is a concept model, not a product.

It will(should) work on the cloud, on-premises or in a hybrid approach.

Maya adapts to your needs, not the other way around. It’s custom-built to fit your workflows, your tools, and your business priorities.

Maya Matter connects the dots, translates the data, and acts as the glue that holds your teams together.

It’s not about adding complexity. It’s about clarity. Coordination. Simplicity.

“Weird” validation: pitching to VCs

Let me share something unexpected.

I put together a pitch deck and a playbook, pitched this concept as a startup idea to a few idea-stage VCs, just to see how it would land.

The response? Surprisingly positive (from a very few)

A few of them even got back to me, expressing genuine interest.

Here's the pitch deck and playbook -

Feel free to reuse or reproduce them however you like.

A smarter approach to FinOps

Here’s the bottom line.

Maya Matter isn’t a magic wand. It’s not a silver bullet. And it’s definitely not a product I’m here to sell you.

It’s a way of thinking - a smarter, more flexible approach to solving FinOps challenges without adding more tools to your stack.

It’s about coordination. Communication. Connection.

And above all, it’s about recognizing that no two businesses are the same.

If you’re tired of fighting fires and ready to start running FinOps like a well-oiled machine, Maya Matter is the blueprint to get you there.

The fine print

This is not a finished product. Maya Matter is a concept model of a solution.

Its viability depends entirely on your business needs. But if you’re looking for a better way to manage IT spend, Maya could be the framework you need.

You are free to:

• Share - Copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.

• Adapt - Remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.

So go ahead. Use it. Build it. Make it yours.

And if you need a hand, just shoot me an email at [email protected].

See you till my next article :)