The self-destructive thing that almost every data team does

Prevailing attitudes towards data management often range from considering it a "necessary evil" to dismissing it as a "waste of time." Many organizations view data management as a regulatory burden—a series of boxes to tick.

So what do we do?

“Try to be light touch”

“Non-invasive data governance”

“Be easy to work with”

Frankly, too many data teams view themselves as a “necessary evil” or “waste of time”.

It's time to challenge this.

Data management is more than legal compliance, or even risk reduction. Data is the catalyst for bottom-line improvement. Why are organisations happy to operate blindfolded?

Manual processes and bespoke built solutions can't be the answer. Excel spreadsheets and DIY SQL code will live on, but only if living in the past is your thing. Remember Kodak?

The marketplace has exploded with new solutions, enhanced by Gen AI - both big brand vendors with new products and startups tackling things in interesting and innovative ways.

Just remember, you don’t get anywhere by buying stuff. You've got to engage your people and make it part of your ways of working.

Data teams must shed their apologetic stance. No more hiding in the shadows and begging for crumbs of budget.

Successful organisations need their data practitioners to assert their expertise and influence, spearheading data-driven initiatives and bringing everyone on board.

Easy to say.

Harder to do.

You need an ally for this.

dataZED is that ally.

Here's my offer.

Reply to this email with your biggest current data challenge. I will send you back THREE actions that YOU can take to help.

Have a wonderful week,
Charles

Whilst you’re down here:

• The next dataZED Get Together has moved online due to anticipated disruption in central London. Register here and join us from wherever you are Thursday 29 February at 1630 GMT.  This month’s roundtable is on Data Quality.

• Download my guide to Kicking off Data Governance 

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