Paul Jones: Data, Strategy, Innovation

This is the eighth part of the chapter titled “The Data Architecture Construction Project”, from the book “ The Data Garden And Other Data Allegories ”. ______________________________ Concerned Contractors The next set of people to speak turn out to be a group of external contractors, who are there to represent a number of other external architecture and building companies. They work for private investors but are keen to ensure they have good working relationships with your government-backed team. It turns out that they have some concerns of their own too, which they’re all too happy to share with you.  The contractors aren’t shy about their motives. They make it very clear that in most cases, they’ll do whatever they’re told, as long as they’re paid enough. However, they struggle when they’re asked to do something they don’t agree with, because they’re all experienced professionals and have standards of their own. They don’t want to put their name to something that’s sub-par and t...

This is the seventh part of the chapter titled “The Data Architecture Construction Project”, from the book “ The Data Garden And Other Data Allegories ”. ______________________________ The Executors The next person to step forward is sharply dressed, and as she starts to talk, her calm, commanding tone is precise and crisp. Her eyes are intense and focused. The description of her team’s purpose, its achievements and plans are structured, logical and well-rehearsed. This is the Programme Delivery team. Their job is to “get stuff done”. They don’t have any preference of technologies or tools, they just need to know what needs to be done, by when, and with what resources, and they’ll make sure it happens. Their team is very new and consists of expert delivery managers, brought in from other towns and cities. It was set up following the various overdue and unsuccessful projects that the incumbent teams had failed to get over the line. The team leader is almost jarringly direct and doesn’t ...

This is the sixth part of the chapter titled “The Data Architecture Construction Project”, from the book “ The Data Garden And Other Data Allegories ”. ______________________________ Technology Snobs The next representative to speak clears his throat before he starts. He’s not joined by anyone else from his team and commences by announcing with a distinct air of pride that he leads the Infrastructure Maintenance team. His team is responsible for the upkeep of critical infrastructure and they directly protect the safety of everyone travelling and using the facilities across Data Insight Town. It turns out that the Infrastructure Maintenance team employs over two thousand infrastructure engineers, including a few of the only people that still understand some of the old materials and technologies that have been used to build the town. Initially you’re impressed. This team seems to be everything the Strategic Architecture team isn’t: it’s practical, delivery-focused and has a very strong s...

This is the fifth part of the chapter titled “The Data Architecture Construction Project”, from the book “ The Data Garden And Other Data Allegories ”. ______________________________ “What a team!” Or should that be… “What team?” A meeting’s been organised with the leaders of each of your teams. Helpfully, representatives from some of the other architecture firms and building companies have also agreed to join. As you walk into the meeting room, you can feel the tension amongst the people gathered there. You smile broadly and say hello, walking in with as much confidence as you can muster to take a seat at the top of the long table that fills most of the room. The windows are open, but there’s no breeze and the room’s hot and stuffy. All of the seats are occupied, people crammed into the narrow gaps between the table and the walls, and there are a few people stood up at the back of the room. You can see one person leaning on the limp remains of a broken fan, wafting himself with a note...

This is the fourth part of the chapter titled “The Data Architecture Construction Project”, from the book “ The Data Garden And Other Data Allegories ”. ______________________________ Don’t worry about the data losses What happens next is the most shocking and scary thing you’ve ever seen. There is a sudden, loud crashing noise above you. When you look up, you find yourself frozen to the spot, as a data car tumbles from the highway and plummets down a hole only three feet from where you’re standing. You feel the rush of air caused by the data car plunging past you, and watch in horror as the data person inside screams in terror before disappearing into oblivion. You’re gasping for breath as you look at the Head Builder and are stunned to see him gazing at you quizzically. He looks totally nonplussed by what he’s just seen. “What,” you wheeze, “just happened?!” “Oh that? That’s nothing. I mean, it’s normal. I mean, it’s pretty rare, in the grander scheme of things. Considering how many ...

This is the third part of the chapter titled “The Data Architecture Construction Project”, from the book “ The Data Garden And Other Data Allegories ”. ______________________________ The sticky-plaster data bridge As you draw closer to the structure, you can see that it’s covered in what appears to be large plasters and bandages. You rub your eyes in disbelief. They literally look like the kinds of plasters you’d use if you grazed your knee, but blown up to a much bigger size and plastered all over it. You want to get a closer look, so ask: “Can you take me to the base of the structure, please?” The Head Builder nods in response to your request. “Boss, if you don’t mind me asking, why are you interested in coming down here? Don’t you just want to get to your office? That’s what all the other architects normally do.” You smile at the suggestion that you’d allow yourself to fall into that stereotype. “I need to see what’s actually going on, because otherwise I’m not going to know if our ...

This is the second part of the chapter titled “The Data Architecture Construction Project”, from the book “ The Data Garden And Other Data Allegories ”. ______________________________ What’s going on?! You’re being driven in for your first day by your Head Builder. This is the first time you’ve been to Data Insight Town, and as you look out at the passing buildings and structures, your jaw drops. Buildings are crammed together in a total mish-mash of different shapes, sizes and styles. Some look high tech and well maintained and others look half-finished and derelict. At seemingly random intervals, the buildings and roadworks are interspersed with large data garbage heaps, which in some cases are spilling out into the road, slowing data traffic and causing data people to swerve dangerously to avoid them. One minute you can feel the car gliding along on a nice flat, high quality road, the next you’re bumping over makeshift data dirt roads, which act as rough connections from one smooth ...