Overview of Project ☁️

Scenario

AWS accounts often have unused or forgotten resources like idle EC2 instances, unattached EBS volumes, outdated snapshots, or load balancers with no traffic. These resources accumulate over time and silently increase your monthly AWS bill.

In this project, you’ll intentionally deploy a wasteful AWS environment using a CloudFormation template, and then simulate the role of a Solutions Architect tasked with identifying and fixing these cost leaks. You’ll build a workflow that detects unused resources, recommends cleanup actions, and removes them safely with proper governance.

Your Role

As a Solutions Architect focusing on cost optimization, your goal is to identify and eliminate unnecessary AWS costs using enterprise-grade automation. You will use AWS native tools to:

• Deploy intentionally wasteful infrastructure with proper tagging for tracking.
• Implement multi-tier detection workflows (immediate, data-driven, advanced analytics).
• Build SSM automation documents with embedded Python cleanup logic and approval workflows.
• Create IAM-secured governance processes with role separation and audit trails.
• Apply S3 lifecycle policies for ongoing storage cost optimization.

👩‍💻 Steps To Be Performed

1. Deploy wasteful resources using CloudFormation template.
2. Detect unused resources using manual audits and CloudWatch metrics.
3. Create SSM Automation Documents with approval workflows.
4. Set up IAM roles and SNS notifications for governance.
5. Execute automated cleanup and apply S3 lifecycle policies.

🛠 Services Used

• Amazon EC2 – Over-provisioned instances and unattached EBS volumes.
• Amazon S3 – Static website hosting without lifecycle cost optimization.
• AWS CloudFormation – Infrastructure as Code for consistent wasteful deployment.
• AWS Systems Manager (SSM) – Automation documents with Python cleanup scripts and approval workflows.
• AWS IAM – Role-based access control for automation execution and approvals.
• Amazon SNS – Email notifications for approval requests and completion status.
• AWS Cost Explorer – Historical spend analysis and savings validation.
• AWS Trusted Advisor – Automated waste detection recommendations.

⚙️Estimated Time & Cost

• Estimated time: ~3 to 4 hours
• Cost: ~$1–3 (depends on simulation duration)

➡️ Architectural Diagram

➡️ Final Result

By completing this project, you will:

• Learn how to spot unused resources and reduce costs.
• Build a basic automated system for cost cleanup in AWS.
• Master AWS Well-Architected Framework Cost Optimization Pillar implementation techniques
• Get hands-on practice with AWS cost optimization tools, an important skill for a Solutions Architect.