Chandan Bukkapatnam, Procore Technologies: From Granular Optimizations to Wide Impact
How do you move from chasing $15 cloud savings to building a scalable FinOps program that actually drives impact?
In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sit down with Chandan Bukkapatnam, Senior Cloud FinOps Analyst at Procore Technologies, to unpack what it really takes to mature a FinOps practice from tactical cost-cutting to strategic influence.
Chandan shares how he intentionally built his career at the intersection of cloud architecture and finance, why he initially focused too heavily on granular optimizations, and how automation changed everything. He explains why small “one-off” savings often waste engineering time, and how building systems is what truly scales cloud cost optimization.
The conversation also explores one of the most important skills in FinOps: influencing without authority. Chandan breaks down how to build trust with engineers, secure leadership buy-in, and meet finance and engineering teams where they are, using the language that matters to each.
Finally, the episode dives into the future of FinOps in an AI-driven world. From FinOps for AI workloads to AI for FinOps automation, Chandan shares how he sees artificial intelligence amplifying the practitioner’s role.
Here’s what we talked about:
Why focusing on tiny cloud savings can backfire
How to prioritize high-impact cloud cost optimization
Building automation workflows that scale
Gaining leadership buy-in for FinOps initiatives
FinOps for AI vs. AI for FinOps
The evolving strategic role of FinOps practitioners
Quote of the Show:
“ AI is taking over the world… but context is still number one.” - Chandan Bukkapatnam
Connect with Chandan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandan426/
Website: https://www.procore.com/
In this episode of FinOps in Action, Chandan Bukkapatnam shares how his career started directly at the intersection of cloud and finance and what he learned after realizing that chasing tiny cloud savings doesn’t actually move the needle. He explains why early FinOps efforts often get stuck focusing on granular optimizations, how automation unlocks real impact, and why building systems is far more valuable than building spreadsheets. The conversation also explores the human side of FinOps: influencing engineers without authority, meeting finance and engineering teams where they are, and creating a culture where cost awareness becomes part of everyday decision-making. Finally, they discuss the rise of AI workloads and why context will remain the most valuable skill for FinOps practitioners in an increasingly automated world. If you’re thinking about how FinOps evolves from tactical cost cutting to strategic influence, this episode is worth your time.