Unused Asset Decommissioning Checklist Example

Overview

Efficient removal of unused cloud assets directly impacts your sustainability goals, helping you reduce unnecessary resource consumption and minimize overall operational costs. Below is a step-by-step checklist to guide Cloud Operations Managers in identifying and decommissioning unused assets.

Checklist

1. Asset Inventory & Tagging
   • Implement a consistent tagging strategy for all cloud resources.
   • Maintain a real-time inventory to quickly locate and identify unused or underutilized resources.
2. Usage Analysis
   • Use monitoring tools to track resource utilization (CPU, memory, storage, network).
   • Set up automated alerts when resource usage falls below a specific threshold.
3. Validation & Approvals
   • Contact the relevant application owners or teams to confirm assets are no longer required.
   • Document approvals to ensure accountability and reduce disruptions.
4. Decommissioning Procedure
   • Follow a standard operating procedure (SOP) for gracefully shutting down services.
   • Ensure backups and snapshots of data are taken if needed for compliance.
   • Delete or terminate resources after final approval to prevent accidental reactivation.
5. Post-Decommission Review
   • Verify all dependencies have been updated or removed.
   • Conduct a cost impact analysis to confirm savings realized.
   • Report on successes, lessons learned, and opportunities for further optimization.

Tips for Success

• Automate wherever possible: Use scripts and alerts to reduce manual overhead and prevent human error.
• Regular reviews: Schedule periodic assessments to detect new unused assets.
• Continuous improvement: Update policies and procedures as you learn from decommissioning efforts.

By systematically identifying and eliminating unused assets, you streamline cost management, reinforce sustainability, and reduce operational complexity in your cloud environment.