The AWS team is debating: should we add more Amazon AWS regions with higher costs, or optimize existing AWS infrastructure?

Introduction

The AWS team is facing a critical decision: should we expand our infrastructure by adding more Amazon AWS regions, despite higher costs, or focus on optimizing our existing AWS infrastructure? This trade-off involves balancing geographical expansion with operational efficiency. I'll analyze this scenario using a structured approach, considering business objectives, user impact, technical feasibility, and resource allocation.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Business Context: I'm thinking this decision might be driven by increasing global demand. Could you share insights on our current regional distribution of customers and their specific needs?

Why it matters: Helps determine if expansion is necessary to meet customer demands. Expected answer: Significant growth in underserved regions. Impact on approach: Would prioritize expansion if growth opportunities are identified.

• User Impact: Based on our customer feedback, I'm assuming latency is a key concern. Can you provide data on current performance metrics across different regions?

Why it matters: Identifies whether optimization or expansion would better serve user needs. Expected answer: Varied performance across regions, with some experiencing higher latency. Impact on approach: Would focus on expansion if latency issues are geographically concentrated.

• Technical Feasibility: Considering our current infrastructure, I'm curious about our capacity for optimization. What's our current utilization rate across existing regions?

Why it matters: Determines if there's room for improvement without expansion. Expected answer: High utilization in some regions, lower in others. Impact on approach: Would lean towards optimization if significant unused capacity exists.

• Resource Allocation: Given the potential scale of either option, I'm wondering about our budget constraints. What's our current investment allocation for infrastructure projects?

Why it matters: Ensures the chosen strategy aligns with financial resources. Expected answer: Specific budget range for infrastructure projects. Impact on approach: Would tailor the strategy to fit within budgetary constraints.

• Timeline Pressure: Considering market dynamics, I'm thinking about the urgency of this decision. Are there any upcoming events or competitor moves that might influence our timeline?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize short-term vs. long-term solutions. Expected answer: Potential market shifts or competitor expansions on the horizon. Impact on approach: Would accelerate expansion plans if market pressure is high.