Decommissioning Plan Template Example

This Decommissioning Plan Template is designed to help organizations systematically identify and dismantle unused or underutilized cloud resources in alignment with AWS Well Architected Framework principles, specifically focusing on sustainability. The document outlines the steps necessary to evaluate cloud resources, minimizing waste and optimizing usage based on present demand.

**1. Objective**
– Reduce resource waste and operational costs by identifying and decommissioning resources that are no longer needed.
– Align cloud resources with actual demands to support sustainability goals.

**2. Scope**
– This plan applies to all AWS services and resources deemed unnecessary or redundant within the organization’s workload.

**3. Resource Inventory**
– Create an exhaustive list of all cloud resources currently in use, noting their purpose, performance metrics, and utilization rates. Resources typically include EC2 instances, S3 buckets, EBS volumes, databases, and any other managed services that have been provisioned but may lack sufficient utilization.

**4. Review Process**
– Schedule regular reviews (e.g., quarterly) of the resource inventory to identify candidates for decommissioning based on usage metrics. Consider metrics such as CPU utilization, network traffic, and storage use to assess resource relevance.
– Engage with application owners to confirm the necessity of resources before proceeding with decommissioning plans.

**5. Decommissioning Steps**
– **Notification:** Inform stakeholders affected by the decommissioning of the schedule and resources involved. This step is crucial to avoid disruption.
– **Backup:** Ensure any necessary data is backed up or migrated to suitable locations to prevent data loss prior to decommissioning.
– **Decommission Resource:** Safely terminate the identified resources via the AWS Management Console or AWS CLI.
– **Audit and Documentation:** After decommissioning, audit the process and document the actions taken, including what was decommissioned, the reasoning, and the expected impacts.

**6. Post-Decommissioning Review**
– Schedule follow-up meetings with stakeholders to evaluate the outcomes of the decommissioning efforts and discuss any potential impacts on operations.
– Update the resource inventory accordingly to maintain accurate records of operational assets.

**7. Continuous Improvement**
– Incorporate a feedback loop to continuously refine processes related to resource management and decommissioning techniques based on lessons learned and new best practices from the AWS Well Architected Framework and the organization’s own experiences.

By implementing this Decommissioning Plan, your organization not only aligns cloud resources with current demand but also actively contributes to reducing operational costs and bolstering sustainability efforts.