I've noticed a lot of buzz around topics like Data Mesh being dead or obsolete and the differences between Data Mesh and Data Fabric. While these discussions are interesting, I believe they are distracting from what companies really need to focus on, especially given the potential economic downturn.
Shifting the Focus to Business Needs
In today's rapidly changing market, companies need to prioritize the ability to quickly create and iterate on new analytics to enhance data-driven decision-making. Long, expensive data platform programs that take years to yield significant value are becoming a luxury that many organizations can no longer afford.
Instead, the focus should be on developing adaptive and reactive data and analytics products that can be quickly ideated, experimented with, prototyped, and deployed. This capability could be the difference between companies thriving or declining during challenging times.
Creating a Fast Iterative Data Product Capability
A true shift in data culture happens when businesses see direct benefits from data initiatives and realize how quickly and easily these benefits can be achieved. Here are the key elements to building a fast, iterative data product capability:
- Integrated Multidisciplinary Teams: Effective teams that include business and product people can frame business questions, explore solutions, ideate, experiment, and build data product prototypes. This process should be iterative and involve real data to test with the business and market. Think of it as a UX process for data.
- Agile Operational Model: A fast, iterative operational model or process that covers all steps from the business idea to production is essential. This model should help the business ask the right questions and quickly translate those questions into products. The process should be low-cost and fail-fast, allowing for rapid pivoting and iteration.
- Integrated Data and IT Infrastructure: The infrastructure must support the entire process, from prototyping to production, in a low-friction way. Avoid shadow IT that can't be supported and focus on integrated solutions that streamline the path from concept to deployment.
Addressing the Challenge: Bridging the Business and Data Divide
A significant challenge is that businesses often struggle to frame their data needs, and data teams can't interpret these needs without clarity. This issue is compounded by the lack of a self-serve infrastructure that allows for automated production lines. The solution lies in creating a structured yet flexible approach that allows for co-creation and rapid iteration.
Practical Steps for Rapid Value Delivery
- Quick Wins and Feedback: Getting valuable products in front of the business as quickly as possible is crucial. Even if an initial ask isn't doable, the organization needs to know this quickly and at low cost. Fast feedback from the business helps refine and improve the product.
- Controlled Production Deployment: Once a data product is validated by the business, it should be pushed into production quickly and with control. This requires an effective framework for rapid deployment that ensures robustness and scalability.
- Lean and Agile Principles: Embrace lean and agile principles to focus on delivering business value quickly. This includes iterative experimentation, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback loops with the business.
Moving Forward: Business-Driven Data Product Management
The key to success is treating data products as business capabilities supported by data and technology. This involves creating an operating model where data product creation and deployment are continuous processes, driven by business needs and market changes.
In conclusion, companies that can quickly develop and iterate on data products will have a competitive edge in adapting to market conditions. This approach fosters a data culture that is responsive, agile, and focused on delivering tangible business value. By shifting the focus from technology hype to practical, business-driven data product management, organizations can thrive even in challenging economic climates.
Let's continue the conversation and share insights on how to effectively implement these strategies in our organizations. Your feedback and experiences are invaluable as we navigate this transformative journey.