I’ve been in so many meetings over the years and asked the question that no one can answer: How do we measure the efficiency of this cloud architecture and what steps do we take to improve it? Based on the blank stares, you’d think I was asking, “Where do we keep the polar bears?” It’s more important than we might realize. Here’s why.

Efficiency is achieving a desired result with the least possible resources, such as time, effort, energy or money. It reflects how well a machine, system or process converts inputs into outputs without unnecessary waste. In engineering, it can mean the ratio of valuable work done by a machine to the total energy used.

Efficiency also includes operational and organizational aspects, such as minimizing waste and maximizing productivity. This is often quantified using metrics such as return on investment, throughput, and resource utilization.