Dealing With a Mess of Data Systems and Products

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Hosts: Andy Clark, Tom Gough

Guest: Greg Bounds 

Topic: Dealing With a Mess of Data Systems and Products

Key Points:

1. Introduction:

·      Andy and Tom introduce Greg Bounds, who works as a data architect for a national nonprofit and also consults on data projects.

2. Defining the Problem:

·      The discussion focuses on inheriting a complex data environment, termed a "dog's breakfast," with a mix of applications, systems, and databases.

·      Tom emphasizes the challenges of dealing with multiple cloud providers and on-premises systems.

3. Scoping the problem:

·      Start by talking to various stakeholders to understand the importance of different systems.

·      Auditing and documenting the systems should follow naturally from these conversations.

4. Managing Stakeholder Priorities:

·      Understand the challenge of balancing different departments' priorities and stresses the importance of understanding the entire data flow.

·      Show the benefits of changes through small, manageable projects.

5. Technical Approach:

·      Look for low-hanging fruit and opportunities to consolidate systems for quick wins.

·      Simplifying the data architecture can de-risk the environment and reduce points of failure.

6. Benefits of Consolidation:

·      Understand there may not be immediate cost savings, reducing the number of platforms simplifies governance and management.

·      It also minimizes the need for specialized knowledge across multiple systems.

7. Planning for the Long Term:

·      The importance of data governance and having a data team that is approachable and open to new solutions.

·      Ensuring the data team has the right skills and capacity is crucial to maintaining a streamlined environment.

8. Key Takeaways:

·      Communication with stakeholders and understanding their needs is essential.

·      Focus on data quality and transparency, even if it means creating "snitch reports" to highlight issues.

·      Look for quick wins to build momentum and show the value of changes.

·      Engage the C-suite to drive adoption and support across the organization.

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