The increasing reliance on cloud computing has introduced both opportunities and challenges for organizations in managing their financial resources effectively. This master’s thesis addresses the critical need for cost optimization in cloud environments by developing a FinOps Maturity Assessment Model and Tool.

Grounded in the principles of the FinOps Framework, the study combines established theories, practical insights, and expert knowledge to design a tool that supports organizations in evaluating and enhancing their cloud financial management practices. The research follows a Design Science Research (DSR) approach, incorporating systematic literature reviews, expert interviews, and iterative development. The primary aim is to answer the Main Research Question: “How can the FinOps Maturity Assessment Model be tailored to achieve cost optimization?”. To achieve this, the study de-fines requirements and evaluation criteria, examines the state-of-the-art maturity models, and provides a structured questionnaire to assess an organization’s FinOps maturity. The assessment is built around the Crawl, Walk, Run maturity levels, aligning with FinOps principles to address key areas such as cost understanding, optimization, business value quantification, and organizational alignment. The developed model is further prototyped on the ABILI platform as a visual tool, enabling organizations to assess their current maturity, identify gaps, and generate actionable insights through dynamic dash-boards. Innovative trends such as GreenOps and Augmented FinOps are explored to emphasize the integration of sustainability and advanced technologies in modern cost management for further studies.

The FinOps Maturity Assessment Tool is designed to assist cloud user companies in achieving cost optimization. As presented in this thesis, the tool serves as a practical resource for cloud-using enterprises, FinOps practitioners and consultants. It provides a clear roadmap for achieving cost optimization, enhancing operational efficiency, and maximizing business value. By enabling organizations to align their cloud expenditures with business objectives, the model contributes to the continuous improvement of cloud financial management practices and strengthens competitiveness in an evolving techno-logical landscape.