Why the New Step Functions Metrics Dashboard Is a Practical Tool for Cost Optimization
"AWS released the Step Functions Metrics Dashboard, and while it’s a nice upgrade for observability, it also has a big impact on cost optimization." - DJ' Kone
Welcome back to the Fahmacloud Newsletter, where we share actionable insights on cloud strategies to optimize costs, automate operations, and secure your environment.
AWS released the Step Functions Metrics Dashboard. Here is what it means from a cost-efficiency perspective.
What’s New
The Step Functions Metrics Dashboard gives you deeper visibility into workflow operations: both at the account and state machine level.
You can now view:
Usage and billing metrics directly in the Step Functions console
Metrics for both Standard and Express workflows
Operational data like
ApproximateOpenMapRunCountand other workflow-level stats.
In short, AWS has made it easier to see where your Step Functions costs are coming from without needing to jump into multiple tools or dashboards.
Why It Matters for Cost Optimization
Step Functions are great for orchestrating distributed systems, but costs can add up quickly if you’re not paying attention to workflow behavior.
This dashboard helps identify hidden inefficiencies that quietly increase your bill, such as:
High retry counts: Often caused by poor error handling or service timeouts.
Long-running executions: Especially common in Standard workflows when tasks wait on external events.
Inefficient state transitions: Too many states or unnecessary branching logic can increase execution time and cost.
Having these metrics in one place means you can spot issues early and make data-driven optimizations.
Practical Ways to Use the Dashboard for Cost Control
Monitor trends weekly: Track how execution counts and durations change over time.
Identify expensive workflows: Look for state machines with unusual cost spikes.
Adjust retry logic: Reduce unnecessary retries or add exponential backoff.
Use Express workflows where possible: They’re often cheaper for short-lived, high-volume use cases.
Set CloudWatch alarms on metrics like
ExecutionsStartedorExecutionsFailedto catch cost anomalies early.
Small adjustments in workflow design can lead to noticeable savings when you’re running hundreds or thousands of executions daily.
The takeaway
The new Step Functions Metrics Dashboard isn’t just another observability feature, it’s a cost visibility tool.
By surfacing real-time billing and usage data, AWS is giving teams a clearer picture of where their automation dollars are going.
For anyone managing large-scale workflows, this is a step in the right direction toward smarter, more cost-aware operations in the cloud.
That’s it for this week’s Fahmacloud Newsletter (Edition 8).
If you found this useful, forward it to a teammate or peer managing AWS costs.
Have a question or topic you’d like us to cover in a future issue? Hit reply, we’d love to hear from you.