Optimization is a crucial strategy for businesses seeking to extract maximum value from their Azure cloud investment, minimize unnecessary expenses, and ultimately drive better return on investment (ROI). At Microsoft, we’re dedicated to optimizing your Azure environments and teaching you how to approach it with resources, tools, and guidance, promoting continuous development of your cloud architectures and workloads, both in new and existing projects. We want you to build confidence to achieve your cloud goals, and to become more efficient and productive once you have a better understanding of how to operate in the cloud most successfully. That’s why we’re proud to offer a wide array of optimization skilling opportunities to help you confidently achieve your cloud goals, resulting in increased efficiency and productivity through a deeper understanding of successful cloud operations.

With Azure optimization skilling, we aim to be your guide in achieving these business goals. By engaging with our curated learning paths, modules, and gamified cloud skills challenges, you’ll quickly begin the process of planning, deploying, and managing your cloud investments. Training topics include Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF), Well-Architected Framework (WAF), FinOps, security, and much more to help you drive continuous improvement and business innovation.

Level up on optimization with our 30 Days to Learn It challenge

Microsoft “30 Days to Learn It” challenges are dynamic and immersive learning experiences designed to empower individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their chosen tech career path. These gamified, interactive challenges offer a blend of hands-on exercises, tutorials, and assessments to ensure a well-rounded learning experience.

Within the accelerated timeframe of 30 days, the structured framework engages participants in friendly competitions to see who can top the leaderboard on their way to mastering any number of Microsoft tools or concepts.

The challenge is open to IT professionals and developers of all skill levels and is designed to provide a flexible and accessible way to learn new skills and advance their careers. To participate, individuals simply need to sign up for the challenge on the Microsoft Learn platform and begin completing the available learning modules.

This month, we’ll be launching a new Azure Optimization 30 Days to Learn It challenge loaded with resources, tools, and guidance to help you optimize your Azure workloads. Learn to optimize your cloud architecture and workloads effectively so that you can invest in projects that drive ongoing growth and innovation. In about 16 hours, you’ll master how to drive continuous improvement of your architecture and workloads while managing and optimizing cloud costs.

Tailor your skilling experience with the Azure Optimization Collection

Whether you’re in the process of migrating to the cloud or have already established Azure workloads, we have assembled a handpicked collection of training and resources to help you on our journey. The collection is tailored to support the ongoing enhancement of your architecture and workloads, all while effectively managing and optimizing your cloud expenses.

Module	Description
Purchase Azure savings plan for compute	By the end of this module, you’ll be able to describe the characteristics and benefits of Azure savings plan for compute and identify scenarios most suitable for its usage.
Save money with Azure Reserved Instances	Learn how to analyze and buy reserved instances, optimize against underused resources, and understand the benefits provided through compute purchases.
Get started with Azure Advisor	With Azure Advisor, you can analyze your cloud environment to determine whether your workloads are following documented best practices for cost, security, reliability, performance, and operational excellence.
Getting started with the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure	Discover how a range of getting-started resources in the Cloud Adoption Framework can accelerate results across your cloud-adoption efforts.
Address tangible risks with the Govern methodology of the Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure	Without proper governance, it can be difficult and laborious to maintain consistent control across a portfolio of workloads. Fortunately, cloud-native tools like Azure Policy and Azure Blueprints provide convenient means to establish those controls.
Ensure stable operations and optimization across all supported workloads deployed to the cloud	As workloads are deployed to the cloud, operations are critical to success. In this learn module, you learn how to deploy an operations baseline to manage workloads in your environment.
Choose the best Azure landing zone to support your requirements for cloud operations	Azure landing zones can accelerate configuration of your cloud environment. This module will help you choose and get started with the best landing zone option for your needs.
Introduction to the Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework	You want to build great things on Azure, but you’re not sure exactly what that means. Using key principles throughout your architecture, regardless of technology choice, can help you design, build, and continuously improve your architecture.
Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework: operational excellence	In this module, you learn about the operational excellence pillar of the Azure Well-Architected Framework, which allows you to answer these types of questions and improve the operations of your Azure cloud deployments.
Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework: Cost optimization	Learn about the cost optimization pillar of the Azure Well-Architected Framework to identify cost optimization opportunities to maximize cloud efficiency and visibility.
Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework: Performance efficiency	Scaling your system to handle load, identifying network bottlenecks, and optimizing your storage performance are important to ensure your users have the best experience. Learn how to make your application perform at its best.
Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework: Security	Learn how to incorporate security into your architecture design and discover the tools that Azure provides to help you create a secure environment through all the layers of your architecture.
Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework: Reliability	Your business relies on access to its systems and data. Each moment that a customer or internal team can’t access what they need can result in a loss of revenue. It’s your job to prevent that by designing and implementing reliable systems.
Describe cost management in Azure	In this module, you’ll be introduced to factors that impact costs in Azure and tools to help you both predict potential costs and monitor and control costs.

Discover more in the Azure Optimization Collection, including e-books and further reading, at the Microsoft Learn site.

Watch optimization tips and tricks from Azure experts

In our Azure Enablement Show video series, hear about the latest resources on how to accelerate your cloud journey and optimize your solutions in Azure. These expert-led videos share technical advice, tips, and best practices to help you do all that and more.

Our newest video on Azure optimization skilling will walk you through the newest training resources, guidance, tools, and skilling that you need to foster continuous development of your cloud architectures and workloads. Get an in-depth understanding of how successful cloud operations increase efficiency and productivity to help you confidently achieve your cloud goals.

In addition, go deeper into optimization with these two-video series on cloud frameworks that provide a comprehensive approach to cloud adoption and continuous improvement:

Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF) series: Address common blockers in your cloud adoption journey using best practices, tools, and templates featured in CAF and shared by Microsoft experts. This series covers scenarios such as enabling your landing zones, assessing your cloud environments, and applying an Azure savings plan.

Well-Architected Framework (WAF) series: Engage with technical guidance for your cloud adoption journey at the workload level across the five pillars of WAF: cost optimization, security, reliability, performance efficiency, and operational excellence.

Get started today with Azure optimization skilling

The journey to cloud optimization is not a destination, but an ongoing pursuit that can transform your organization’s digital landscape. Engaging with learning paths on Microsoft Learn isn’t just about gaining knowledge—it’s about investing in your organization’s future success. Our comprehensive skilling resources provide you with the tools, insights, and skills you need to unlock the full potential of Azure’s cloud optimization capabilities.

Take the first step today toward a more efficient, cost-effective, and competitive cloud environment by exploring Microsoft Learn’s cloud optimization learning paths in this Collection. Whether you’re an IT professional, a developer, or a decision-maker, there’s a tailored learning path waiting for you. Start your journey now and empower your organization to thrive in the cloud-first world.

Attendees to Microsoft Ignite 2023 were given the chance to learn more about leveling up their Azure through live keynotes, breakout sessions, and expert workshops. View recorded sessions, including the “Optimize your Azure investment through FinOps” discussion session, to learn how you can facilitate a culture of continuous improvement in your organization.

Lastly, game on! Be sure to register for our Azure Optimization 30 Days to Learn It Challenge to compete against your peers from around the globe as you master optimizing your cloud architecture and workloads.