Keeping Up With Data #86

5 minutes for 5 hours’ worth of reading

Source: https://benn.substack.com/p/third-rail?s=r

The image above comes from Benn Stancil who was aiming to capture the difference between the value of engineers and analysts. It is inspired by the long tail distribution of honeydew melons (as compared to cantaloupes). What differentiates the top analysts from the rest? It’s not the tools or competent bosses. It’s the readiness and ability to problem solve real issues with data and analytics. This is what the data professionals should be focusing on next to mastering the key technologies. No tool will solve that for them.

• Things I Wish I Knew When I Was Building a Data Team: Building a data team is a topic I’m discussing quite often. With more companies embarking on the data journey, we see new data teams being built (and re-built). The newly appointed data leads should learn from the mistakes and experience of others. It can save a lot of money, time, and frustrations for all. Salma’s article starts with settting the right objective (the business first approach again!). And then follows with organisational structure, data tech stack, hiring, and more. All with very practical tips. (Salma Bakouk @ tds)
• Data Management: A Modern, Integrated Approach: There is an incredible business potential in data. But without a proper data management approach, it is hard to unlock it. Capital One leaders are providing their view on what the data management is, how it has evolved and what is a sensible approach to data management. They write about “integrated data management experience that empowers the various data stakeholders present in an organization to manage their own data while respecting individual data priorities.” (Capital One)
• Presenting data: The style guide of Office for National Statistics provides an overview of dos and don’ts when presenting data. From not using 3D charts, or pie charts, to advices for chart titles or legends. For instance about the last topic they say: “A legend or key should not be used, instead label the data directly. If a legend or key is necessary, place it on the chart as close as possible to the data.” (Office for National Statistics)

Enjoy the weekend!

In case you missed the last week’s issue of Keeping up with data

Keeping Up With Data #85

Thanks for reading!

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