AWS CloudWatch
Advanced Observability with CloudWatch
Evidently
Learn how AWS CloudWatch Evidently helps you run feature experiments, manage rollouts with feature flags, and analyze real-time metrics to optimize your application’s performance and user experience.
Overview
AWS CloudWatch Evidently is part of the AWS CloudWatch suite and offers a full-featured experimentation platform. You can:
- Conduct A/B and multivariate tests on new features
- Manage dynamic rollouts with feature flags
- Target specific user segments for precise experiments
- Receive real-time analytics to adjust experiments on the fly
- Visualize results in customizable dashboards
- Integrate natively with other AWS services
Note
CloudWatch Evidently is designed for teams that need data-driven feature releases at scale without compromising stability.
Key Features
1. Feature Experimentation
Run controlled experiments on multiple feature variations to measure performance, engagement, or any custom metric. Use statistical analysis to decide which variation to promote to all users.
2. Feature Flags
Toggle features on or off without redeploying code. Feature flags enable:
- Gradual rollouts (canary deployments)
- Instant rollbacks if a variation underperforms
- Safe validation of new code paths in production
Example CLI command to create a feature flag:
aws cloudwatchevidently create-feature \
--name new-ui-toggle \
--project MyProject \
--default-variation off \
--variations file://variations.json
3. User Segmentation
Segment experiments by user attributes such as geography, device type, or custom metadata. Tailor experiences to different cohorts for more accurate insights.
4. Real-Time Analytics
Observe how each variation impacts your application metrics as data arrives. Adjust experiment traffic allocation instantly to optimize results.
5. AWS Service Integration
Integrate Evidently with other AWS services for a seamless workflow:
| AWS Service | Integration Pattern | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Lambda | Run experiment logic in functions | Lambda Docs |
| Amazon DynamoDB | Store feature metadata and results | DynamoDB Guide |
| Amazon SNS | Notify teams on experiment events | SNS Overview |
| AWS CloudWatch | Collect and visualize logs and metrics | CloudWatch Docs |
6. Dashboards and Visualization
Use built-in dashboards to monitor experiment progress and view key metrics. Export results or integrate with custom BI tools for advanced reporting.
When to Use Evidently
Evidently is ideal for applications with large user bases and frequent feature releases. Common scenarios include:
| Scenario | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Controlled feature rollouts | Minimize risk through gradual exposure |
| Measuring feature impact before launch | Validate hypotheses with real user data |
| Cross-functional collaboration | Align product, engineering, and marketing teams |
| Rapid decision-making from live metrics | Optimize user experience in real time |
Warning
Always monitor key application metrics (errors, latency, user engagement) to detect negative impacts early in your experiments.
Getting Started
- Create or select an Evidently project.
- Define features and variations.
- Configure user segments and metrics.
- Launch experiments or deployments via the AWS Management Console or AWS CLI.
- Monitor results and roll out the winning variation.
For detailed steps, see the AWS CloudWatch Evidently User Guide.
References
- AWS CloudWatch Evidently Documentation
- AWS CloudWatch Overview
- AWS CLI Reference
- Kubernetes Basics
- Terraform Registry
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