Secrets of Data Analytics Leaders

Data Mesh gets a lot of discussion. Some see it as revolutionary—the first new data architecture thinking in years. Others view it as a dangerous backward slide to the chaos of data silos. The reality lies somewhere between—a big shift in architecture thinking with some inherent risk. A few good architecture practices help to realize the benefits while managing the risks. Published at: https://www...

Many machine learning projects fail because data scientists don’t have the right data. Techniques such as synthetic data is a novel algorithmic approach to address algorithmic risks. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/synthetic-data-for-ai-definition-risks-and-strategies

Many machine learning projects fail because data scientists don’t have the right data. Techniques such as synthetic data is a novel algorithmic approach to address algorithmic risks. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/synthetic-data-for-ai-definition-risks-and-strategies

Data orchestration uses caching, APIs, and centralized metadata to help compute engines access data in hybrid or multi-cloud environments. Data platform engineers can use data orchestration to gain simple, flexible, and high-speed access to distributed data for modern analytics and AI projects. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/data-orchestration-simplifying-data-access-for-analytics

Data access management (DAM) is the process of defining and enforcing policies that control access to application data throughout the enterprise. New approaches to DAM provide greater access and better protection through centrally managed policies that are universally enforced. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/data-access-management-zero-sum-game-over

This article, the third in a series, dives into the technologies that underpin modern approaches to location intelligence. It explores databases for industrial-scale geospatial applications, advanced business intelligence (BI) tools for exploratory analysis, and simple use-case specific platforms. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/location-intelligence-part-iii-enabling-technologies

The data mesh makes business domain experts the owners of their data, which they deliver as a “data product” to analytics teams using a self-service data platform and a federated governance framework. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/why-enterprises-should-implement-the-data-mesh-with-dataops

An operating model for data & analytics is critical for aligning resources across the enterprise and balancing the needs for agility and governance. An effective operating model is critical to data & analytics success and its creation and upkeeping should be the primary focus of a chief data officer. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/an-operating-model-for-data-analytics

In this article, Lawson Abinati lays out core principles for market positioning that apply across all industries, as well as to Business Intelligence (BI) professionals. Although many business intelligence (BI) managers see themselves as technologists first, unless they understand the soft skills of sales, marketing, and communication, they won't succeed professionally or make good on their organi...

This article summarizes the major characteristics of a modern data architecture and serves as a guide for organizations that are in the midst of developing a new data strategy for the modern age. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/ten-characteristics-of-a-modern-data-architecture

An analytics center of excellence is the cornerstone of every data strategy, yet few data leaders know how to design one that works effectively. The key is to embrace federated techniques that balance standards and speed, agility and governance. This article explains the core components of an analytics center of excellence. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/how-to-design-an-analytics...

Design patterns have proven valuable in many endeavors. Can data pipeline design patterns help to break the data engineering logjam? Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/data-pipeline-design-patterns

The need for adaptable data management architecture has never been more pressing. Yet getting there seems to be more confusing than ever. The field is rampant with buzzwords: data lake, data lakehouse, data fabric, data mesh, data hub, data as a network. Making sense of the confusion begins with sorting out the buzzwords. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/data-architecture-complex-vs...

Data mesh is an evolutionary concept that’s gained a lot of traction in the software engineering world. It’s both exciting and unnerving—exciting because it represents a sea change in engineering attitudes toward data; unnerving because of its potential to create organizational confusion. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/the-exciting-unnerving-vision-of-data-mesh

This article, the second in a series, shares cutting-edge examples of location intelligence applications from the real world to help readers understand what’s possible with geospatial data. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/location-intelligence-part-ii-real-world-examples-from-businesses-that-use-geospatial-data

The data mesh is an attempt by software engineers to remake the data industry in their image. There is a lot of goodness in the data mesh but will it work? The track record for other reform efforts is not good, although new technologies are putting wind into the methodology. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/data-mesh-translated-software-engineers-try-to-reform-data

Data Stewardship Experience strategies (personal growth, community, societal contribution, and disruptive innovation) can meet several cognitive, social, and psychological needs, and motivate professionals to become productive data stewards. It also removes the stigma of data governance as a rigid and bureaucratic gatekeeping discipline. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/improving-th...

Decision AI is an emerging discipline that enables faster, smarter operational decisions by combining decision intelligence and contextual intelligence. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/decision-ai-and-the-opportunity-for-smarter-faster-actions

This audio blog, the third and final in a series, recommends five guiding principles for success. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/the-customer-360-data-program-and-cloud-connectors-guiding-principles-for-success

Consider key trends and challenges as you design an effective organizational architecture for data governance while generating value with pervasive analytics. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/organizational-architecture-can-make-or-break-your-data-governance-program

At Summit 2022, Snowflake paints a picture of a utopian data future where all data is treated equally regardless of where it comes from or what language is used to process it, where processing resources are limitless, and all data is secured and governed. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/snowflake-summit-2022-growth-vision-and-strategies

Providing analysts with tools that increase their efficiency is critical to helping them do more work with less effort. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/a-data-analyst-s-guide-to-the-data-catalog

This blog recommends criteria for enterprises to evaluate cloud connectors and ensure the benefits outweigh the costs. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/evaluating-cloud-connectors-for-the-customer-360-data-program

Machine learning models help respond to the time-based value and risks of business events. To achieve this on an ongoing basis, enterprises should build a streaming ML program based on sound business objectives, a cross-functional team, open platforms, and phased execution. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/machine-learning-and-streaming-data-pipelines-part-iii-guiding-principles

Enterprise data teams embrace DataOps to achieve new levels of efficiency and effectiveness in delivering data-driven solutions. Roche shows what’s possible when you combine a state-of-the-art cloud data platform with a data mesh architecture and DataOps solution. Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/what-can-dataops-do-for-you-ask-roche