By Alexey Baikov
CTO and Co-founder

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Automation has emerged as a considerable force in cloud computing in recent years. It has opened new and exciting possibilities for infrastructure management, such as Kubernetes, and reshaped the way we conduct business operations and product development. The IT world in general, and the cloud in particular, is rightfully enamored with the concept of automation and going head first towards it. 

By streamlining operations and reducing manual workloads, automating repetitive tasks and decision-making processes are truly making our systems more efficient and our lives easier. The time and money that automation saves us can be redirected towards innovation and business endeavors, ultimately making way for bigger advancements in the future. But could there be such a thing as too much automation? 

What happens if we put overlapping and redundant automation tools in place? “Automation sprawl” is a situation where the growth of automated tasks becomes counterproductive and occurs when automated processes become overly complex and abundant. If left unchecked, automation sprawl can erode the very benefits it was supposed to bring, such as cost savings and operational efficiency. Tackling this issue helps ensure that your automation efforts align with your strategic goals and deliver real value.

This article explores the risks of automation sprawl and the strategies to identify and prevent them in cloud environments.

The Risks of Automation Sprawl

Automation sprawl, if not strategically managed, can introduce several risks that undermine the intended benefits of cloud automation. 

• Operational Inefficiency:
  In the cloud, automation sprawl often leads to redundant and overlapping processes. Imagine multiple teams setting up separate automated reporting platforms for similar workloads without coordinating. This not only consumes more resources than necessary but also complicates management, leading to a less efficient system overall. That’s why it’s crucial to use centralized platforms and appoint a technical owner within the DevOps team. Additionally, consider establishing a FinOps function or team to handle these issues, which helps prevent overlap and standardize processes.

• Cost Overruns:
  One of the more immediate impacts of unchecked automation sprawl in the cloud is the unexpected rise in costs. Redundant processes and tools can significantly strain your budget, primarily through increased maintenance overhead and the need for additional resources to manage them.

• Security Vulnerabilities:
  More automation can mean more complexity, and with complexity often comes increased security risks. Each piece of automated workflow represents a potential vulnerability point, especially if these are not uniformly managed or updated.As the number of automation tools and scripts increases, so does the complexity of managing their unique security measures. Without uniform management, this can create a fragmented security landscape. Such fragmentation may result in multiple potential security breaches.

• Compliance Issues:
  Automation sprawl can also complicate cloud compliance, especially in highly regulated industries. Diverse automated systems may not adhere uniformly to regulatory standards, leading to a disjointed compliance posture that could expose your organization to legal penalties.

Recognizing Signs of Automation Sprawl

Identifying the early signs of automation sprawl is key to preventing its negative impact on your cloud environment. Common symptoms include:

• Inconsistent Workflows: Disparate automation scripts or processes that lead to inconsistencies in deployment or operations. 
• Increased Errors: A rise in mistakes or failures in automated processes, often due to conflicts or outdated/unmonitored scripts. 
• Escalating Costs: Additionally, if your cloud expenses are rising without a corresponding increase in output or efficiency, it’s time to evaluate the automation strategies in place. Using a cost animal detection tool can help you spot and address these issues early and facilitate proactive remediation.

Spotting these signs early can help you take corrective action before they compromise your cloud infrastructure’s effectiveness and efficiency.

Strategies to Prevent and Mitigate Automation Sprawl

To effectively manage and prevent automation sprawl in cloud environments, organizations can adopt a variety of strategic approaches. These strategies not only streamline automation efforts but also ensure they align with broader business objectives:

• Define Clear Automation Objectives:
  Start by clearly defining the goals and KPIs for each automation initiative. This ensures that every automated process serves a specific, measurable purpose, reducing the likelihood of redundant or unnecessary automation.

• Implement Governance Frameworks:
  Develop comprehensive cloud governance frameworks that establish guidelines for when and how automation should be applied. Incorporate regular audits and reviews of existing automation tools and processes into these frameworks to identify redundancies, inefficiencies, and areas where automation may not be delivering the expected value.

• Centralize Automation and Leverage AI:
  Centralizing the management of automation tools and policies through Cloud Management Platforms (CMPs) is crucial for monitoring and controlling automation sprawl. By consolidating oversight into a single function, organizations can manage resource allocation, eliminate overlapping automation, and optimize resource use. Utilizing artificial intelligence within this centralized framework also enables informed decision-making about where to automate and helps identify potential sprawl areas.

• Scale with Modular Approach:
  Adopt a modular approach to automation, where new functionalities can be added as modules to existing automation rather than creating new ones. This keeps the automation landscape manageable and adaptable.

• Continuous Education and Training:
  Keep the teams up-to-date with the latest automation technologies and practices. Well-informed teams are better equipped to implement effective automation and recognize when existing processes are becoming sprawl.

Step-by-Step Process for Managing Automation Sprawl

Effectively curbing automation sprawl involves structured change management strategies. Here are practical steps that organizations can take to systematically assess and control their automation environments:

1. Begin by conducting a comprehensive inventory of all existing automated processes. Identify who owns each process, its purpose, and its output to understand the scope of automation across the organization.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of each automated process against its intended purpose. Determine any overlaps, redundancies, or gaps.
3. Develop a plan to consolidate redundant processes and enhance those that are underperforming. This plan should also include the introduction of new automation rules and guidelines.
4. Deploy the planned changes, which may include decommissioning unnecessary automation, merging overlapping tools, and introducing new automation management software.
5. Establish technical mechanisms to continuously monitor the performance and relevance of automated processes, ensuring they remain aligned with business objectives. This setup is crucial for real-time oversight and prompt adjustment of automation strategies.
6. Implement a process for regular audits and reviews to analyze the data collected from monitoring. Setting up periodic reviews and optimization cycles allows organizations to adapt their automation strategies to changing market conditions, technological advancements, or shifts in business strategy. Optimization not only involves tweaking or removing existing automation but also exploring opportunities for new automation that can drive further efficiencies.

Automating with Care

Automation seems like an easy, carefree fix for many of our daily problems – and it is. But we also need to remember that it needs careful planning and managing. Automation sprawl can undermine the very benefits it’s meant to deliver and it’s crucial to take steps to regularly assess and streamline your automation efforts. That will ensure that your cloud environments remain efficient and cost-effective. By staying proactive and making adjustments as needed, organizations can ensure that automation continues to add real value without becoming a burden.