Data Management at Scale, 2nd Edition

Chapter 12. Putting Theory into Practice

Here we are at the final chapter. But don’t be sad—we’re going to make things real! In this chapter, we’re going to walk through a pragmatic example of implementing a modern data architecture, step by step. Along the way, I’ll summarize the various topics discussed throughout the book and explain how to convert theory into a practical approach, outlining the overall plan, stages, and sequence in which to implement the various capabilities you’ll need to get up and running.

We’ll begin with a short reflection on your data journey, and whether you should start with a centralized or decentralized approach. Then we’ll go through the phases of implementing a data architecture, from setting the strategic direction, to laying the foundation, to professionalizing your capabilities. We’ll discuss the importance of a data-driven culture to ensuring the success of your project, including governance and a DataOps way of working, then look at the role enterprise architects must play. Finally, I’ll close out the chapter with some last words.

A Brief Reflection on Your Data Journey

The goal of this book is to support you on your data journey. But before you jump on the bandwagon, ensure you have a data strategy in place. Whether you’re starting small or have a large set of use cases to implement, without a plan, as you learned in Chapter 1, you’re doomed to fail. I see countless enterprises fail because they’re unable to bring everybody onboard or to ...