Kubernetes management in Azure was fragmented. Each cluster, Fleet, and Namespace lived on its own blade. Platform teams context-switched constantly, missed security issues, and many built custom dashboards or turned to third-party tools.
Azure needed a unified hub with built-in guidance — the nav, the Overview, and contextual onboarding all had to work together so platform teams could manage their environment without getting lost.
Shipped Azure-managed clusters first; deferred Arc to keep the Ignite preview polished. Built an Overview with summary cards for health, security, compliance, and cost — each linking to remediation.
Added a Fleet Manager that lets you attach clusters during creation instead of as a separate step, plus QuickStarts that surface contextual onboarding without leaving the hub.
Three weeks into preview: +27% AKS resources deployed, +131% fleet creation. Security and Compliance cards became the top-clicked elements. Highlighted as a leading Big Rock deliverable across Azure.
What I'd change: lock scope milestones earlier with explicit cut checkpoints, and bake telemetry into design specs from day one.
Treating the Ignite deadline as a forcing function worked, but the gap between preview and north star kept moving — a living tradeoffs artifact helped, but earlier discipline would have helped more.
