Data Mesh: Decentralizing Data

## Decentralizing Data Domains: Teams Delivering Data as a Product with Federated Governance

Traditional data management is in crisis. Data silos, lack of agility, and access bottlenecks prevent companies from leveraging the full potential of their data. The solution? A radical transformation: the decentralization of data domains, the delivery of data as a product, and the adoption of federated governance.

The Problem of Silos and the Search for Agility

In centralized models, data resides in large repositories controlled by IT or data engineering teams. This leads to:

• Lack of agility: Data requests take weeks or months to be fulfilled, delaying decisions and analysis.
• Fragmented knowledge: No one fully understands the complexity and meaning of all the data.
• Low reuse: Data is often duplicated and reshaped, generating inefficiency and inconsistency.
• Ownership conflicts: Who is responsible for ensuring the quality and curation of the data?

The Solution: Data as a Product

The key to solving these problems is to treat data as a product. This means:

• Domain ownership: Each domain team (marketing, sales, finance, etc.) becomes responsible for its own data.
• Cataloging and discovery: Data is cataloged and documented to facilitate discovery and understanding.
• Standards and quality: Teams define quality standards and ensure the integrity of their data.
• APIs and interfaces: Data is made available through APIs and user-friendly interfaces for consumption by other domains and applications.

Decentralization and Federated Governance: The Balance

Decentralization can lead to autonomy, but also to data silos again if not managed correctly. This is where federated governance comes into play. It ensures:

• Standards and policies: A central group defines policies and standards to ensure consistency and interoperability between domains.
• Auditing and compliance: Mechanisms to audit data usage and ensure compliance with regulations and internal policies.
• Shared infrastructure: Shared platforms and tools to facilitate data discovery, access, and management.
• Communication and collaboration: Mechanisms to promote the exchange of knowledge and collaboration between domain teams.

Benefits of the Approach

Implementing this approach brings numerous benefits:

• Greater agility: Teams can access and use the data they need quickly and easily.
• Better decision-making: Data-driven decisions are faster and more informed.
• Increased efficiency: Reduction of data duplication and optimization of resource use.
• Accelerated innovation: The ability to experiment and innovate with data increases significantly.
• Enhanced compliance and security: Federated governance ensures that data is used ethically and in compliance with regulations.

Conclusion

The decentralization of data domains, the delivery of data as a product, and federated governance represent the natural evolution of data management. By adopting this approach, companies can unlock the true potential of their data, drive innovation, and gain a significant competitive advantage. It's time to embrace this transformation and build a smarter, data-driven future.