In today’s world of data-driven decision-making, businesses rise and fall by the quality of their data. Data platforms, in this context, play a key role in driving business intelligence across all organization functions. Nevertheless, building a reliable platform requires careful planning, design, and implementation. From selecting the right tools to deciding on its architecture and data models, these systems take time to build.
As a result, many companies opt for a traditional model that builds the whole ecosystem end-to-end in a “Big bang” approach. At Quest Global, however, our 20 years of engineering experience have shown us a much faster and cost-effective approach to platform-building.
The risk of going big bang
The “Big Bang” approach requires you to consider all your business KPIs (key performance indicators) before building the data platform.. This model is, however, fraught with risks.
Incorporating all your functions into the platform in a single move means that you’re taking a massive risk without knowing if the system will work. It also significantly extends your time-to-market. Say, for instance, that building the complete platform takes two years. You won’t be able to use it until all areas are completed, which means you’d be potentially leaving money on the table. Lastly, it can lead to data mistrust and poor data governance. Since nobody owns the data, nobody feels accountable for it, either.
The DataOps way
The alternative is the incremental approach of DataOps. At Quest Global, we strongly believe in the “think big, act small” philosophy where we’ve seen time and again how small steps can lead to huge benefits.
Instead of committing to incorporating all areas into the platform at once, you identify specific use cases and implement them one at a time. Once that one is validated, you move on to the next. Issues are addressed as they arise, minimizing the risk to your business.
Other than its flexibility, there are numerous benefits:
Builds a Data-Driven Culture
When you rely on DataOps, the manager of each business function is responsible for the quality of the data they provide. This inspires data ownership and data-driven decision-making across all parts of the business.
Less costly
With DataOps, the scope is much smaller, so you don’t need massive upfront investment. Likewise, the end solution will be less costly since you will iterate and improve along the way.
Faster go-to-market
As soon as you incorporate one function of your business into the platform, you can start using it. This means that you don’t have to wait until all other areas of the business are implemented before you start benefiting from it.
Rethinking your approach to data
Data governance is an integral part of any data-driven organization, and getting it right can be a game-changer. While it can be a daunting task, involving more people in the data collection and management process can inspire trust, accountability, and data ownership, which are the bedrock of solid data governance.
Adopting a DataOps approach can help streamline the process.. It begins with identifying your biggest pain point and creating a strategic plan forward. Once you have your proof-of-concept, you can gradually add all functions of the businesses until you have a fully integrated and streamlined data platform. Embracing DataOps and implementing a strong data governance system is a journey, but the benefits are well worth the effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
DataOps offers an incremental approach to building data platforms, contrasting sharply with the traditional “Big Bang” method. Instead of creating the entire ecosystem at once, DataOps focuses on implementing specific use cases one at a time. This reduces risks, allows for immediate issue resolution, and shortens the time-to-market. By validating each step before proceeding, businesses can avoid the pitfalls of committing massive resources without guaranteed success.
Quest Global leverages over 20 years of engineering experience to streamline the implementation of DataOps in data platforms. Our expertise ensures a “think big, act small” philosophy, minimizing risks and maximizing benefits through strategic, incremental steps. This experience allows Quest Global to deliver faster and more cost-effective solutions, tailored to meet specific business needs and drive innovation.
Yes, DataOps significantly contributes to scalability and global market expansion. By iteratively integrating business functions into the data platform, companies can adapt quickly to new market demands and scale operations efficiently. This method not only reduces time-to-market but also enhances the agility of the business, facilitating seamless entry into new markets and supporting global growth strategies.
Adopting a DataOps strategy presents several advantages:
- Data-Driven Culture: Encourages data ownership and accountability as each business function becomes responsible for its data quality.
- Cost Efficiency: Reduces the need for substantial upfront investments, allowing for iterative improvements.
- Faster Go-To-Market: Enables immediate use of integrated functions, delivering benefits without waiting for full platform completion.
- Enhanced Data Governance: Promotes trust, accountability, and ownership, crucial for solid data governance.
Data governance is a cornerstone of the DataOps framework, fostering trust, accountability, and data ownership. Optimizing data governance involves involving more personnel in data collection and management processes, thus ensuring comprehensive oversight and engagement. Quest Global recommends starting with the identification of key pain points and gradually building a robust governance strategy aligned with business objectives.
