Bootstrapping Data Mesh for a Complex Enterprise

Data Mesh is a socio-technical paradigm designed to manage analytical data at scale. While we’ve heard extensively about the concepts of Data Mesh, including its four pillars and how it can help organizations become truly data-driven, implementing Data Mesh in practice requires careful consideration.

This paradigm is not just about technological transformation; it also involves changes in people, processes, and operations. Therefore, these concepts must be tailored to fit the specific organization undergoing this transformation.

In this talk, I will share our experience of kickstarting such a transformation. I will discuss how we began with a small-scale data initiative for a complex enterprise using the Data Mesh approach. I will cover both the social and technical aspects of implementing this paradigm, along with the lessons learned and potential pitfalls.

Key Takeaways
1) Datamesh is more art than science
2) Data Mesh is a long term journey
3) The data strategy should be driven and aligned with the business strategy
4) Adoption of domains, product thinking to operate and monetise will evolve over time, requires patience and hand-holding
5) Data mesh is not a silver bullet