Implementing Data Mesh

Chapter 15. Defining a Data Mesh Operating Model

An operating model serves as a blueprint for how an organization functions, detailing the interactions and processes that enable it to achieve its goals. This model encompasses aspects such as organizational structure, technology, and workflows, providing a comprehensive framework for executing business strategies.

In this chapter, we will build on the previous chapter’s focus on individual teams and explain how teams are bound together using a Data Mesh operating model. We will discuss how Data Mesh with its decentralized approach involves rethinking traditional centralized data management paradigms and embracing a more distributed, agile, and domain-centric approach.

Characteristics of an Operating Model

An operating model is a blueprint that defines how an organization conducts business, delivering value through its operations. It aligns people, processes, and technology to achieve strategic goals. In the context of data products or Data Mesh, the operating model guides how data—or more specifically, data products—are managed, shared, and utilized within an organization, ensuring that data initiatives align with business objectives and strategies.

One key objective of an operating model is to establish clear roles and responsibilities, ensuring that each team and individual knows their specific functions and how they contribute to the broader organizational goals. We will use the descriptions of Data Mesh teams from Chapter 14 ...