How we optimized infrastructure spend at GitLab

What this post added

This post details GitLab's five-stage framework for optimizing infrastructure spend: 1. Basic cost visibility (using GCP billing exports), 2. Cost allocation (using GCP labels and handbook for infrastructure standards), 3. Optimize usage efficiency (identifying opportunities in CI runners, object storage lifecycle policies, and network usage), 4. Measure business outcomes vs spend (evaluating complex changes like advanced global search), and 5. Predict future spend and problem areas (still a work in progress). It also outlines the workflow and planning process for cost optimization initiatives, prioritizing based on cost savings, customer impact, future potential cost impact, and effort required.