How to Advance Your Tech Career with the FinOps Lattice: A Framework for Practitioners Who Feel Stuck

Discover the FinOps Lattice, a 5-role career framework designed for FinOps professionals ready to level up. From end-user practitioner to builder, cloud provider, consultant, and community anchor — learn how to navigate your next move in the FinOps career path, with real stories and actionable advice from an 8-year FinOps veteran.

Timestamps

00:00 - Intro: Hitting a FinOps Career Wall
01:40 - Guest Introduction: Sansana's Background
02:30 - How She Got Into FinOps at VMware
04:20 - Building the Smart Summary Tool
05:40 - Switching from Practitioner to Product Manager
07:50 - What's Next After 4–5 Years in FinOps?
09:50 - Role Change vs. Staying in FinOps
11:00 - Community Involvement & Open Source Contributions
13:00 - The Value of Building Over Certifications
15:00 - Introducing the FinOps Lattice Framework
15:50 - Role 1: End User Practitioner
16:30 - Role 2: Builder (Vendor/Tool)
17:20 - Role 3: Cloud Provider
18:30 - Role 4: Advisor / Consultant / MSP
19:30 - Role 5: Community Anchor
21:00 - How the Lattice Roles Connect
24:30 - Real Career Journey Examples
27:30 - Networking & Personal Connections in FinOps
30:00 - AI's Impact on FinOps Careers
33:00 - Advice for Breaking Into FinOps
36:30 - Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts