How Do We Design a Data Management Infrastructure?

Data can be more valuable than money if a company uses it correctly. With the right data insight, companies can save millions on unneeded costs, or make millions by streamlining processes. With that in mind, how can companies design a data management infrastructure that allows them to make the most out of collected data?

Ronald van Loon, Director of Adversitement, attempts to set out a path in a recent LinkedIn post.

The first step is to lose data silos. These silos keep big data from reaching its full potential. Unshared data is useless data, and designing a data management infrastructure means utilizing, and sharing, all the data that a company collects. Between physical sites, websites, mobile apps, social media, and whatever else is collecting data, a lot can get lost in the shuffle.

The next step is cultivating collaboration. Van Loon offers the Agile approach:

The Agile approach is being used by renowned firms like Google, Spotify, Zappos, and Netflix. The purpose of this approach is to empower people to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams and enable them to make the right decisions quickly and effectively.

Here is an overview of how Agile works at Spotify.

At Spotify, the entire enterprise comprises of four types of units — squads, chapters, tribes, and guilds. Squad, which is the very basic unit of the organisation, is a multidisciplinary team whose members work together to achieve a shared goal. Chapters, on the other hand, are groups of people with similar expertise across various squads. Squads that work on related areas form a tribe, while guilds are loosely formed interest groups that any employee can join.

The Agile strategy allows Spotify to align groups and supports innovation, leading to a collaborative organization that shares and utilizes data.

Finally, van Loon stresses the importance of adhering to regulations. Last year, the EU released its General Data Protection Regulation, and the U.S. has its own guidelines for companies to follow. Ensure you are collecting and using data correctly when designing a data management infrastructure.

You can read van Loon’s full article here.

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