What is the Future of Data Catalogs? with Malcolm Hawker
Oct 31, 2024
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Malcolm Hawker, Chief Data Officer at Profisee and host of the CDO Matters Podcast, dives deep into the evolving landscape of data catalogs. He argues for a shift from data management to a knowledge-first approach, emphasizing the need for context and relationship-building. The discussion highlights the integration of AI and unstructured data, aiming to turn data catalogs into valuable business tools. Participants explore the implications for data governance and the transformative role of generative AI, advocating for data leaders to become strategic partners.
Data catalogs must evolve beyond basic management to become tools for understanding the business value behind data usage.
Incorporating knowledge management into data catalogs is essential for recognizing the context and relationships that drive data insights.
The integration of AI and LLMs will transform data catalogs, enabling them to provide contextual insights and enhance business value significantly.
Deep dives
The Future of Data Catalogs
A forward-looking vision for data catalogs suggests they should evolve to bridge the gap between data management and knowledge management. The aim is to not just document data lineage but to understand how data drives business value through specific business processes. There is a growing importance of analyzing how often data is referenced, both in successful and unsuccessful transactions, pointing towards a deeper connection with business performance. Concerns arise, however, that the evolution of data catalogs may lean more towards basic listing and inventory management, failing to realize their transformative potential.
Knowledge Management's Role
The conversation emphasizes the necessity of incorporating knowledge management in the future landscape of data catalogs. The goal is to shift from a sole data-first perspective towards a knowledge-first approach, recognizing the value of context and relationships in understanding data. Knowledge graphs are proposed as a powerful tool to manage and connect business processes, emphasizing the importance of capturing the narrative behind data. This transition is critical for enriching the understanding of data’s role within organizations, allowing for better decision-making.
The Impact of Unstructured Data
Unstructured data has been largely ignored in traditional data management practices, yet it holds substantial insights that can propel business value. Data leaders are encouraged to broaden their scope to include the governance and profiling of unstructured data, which remains prevalent in many organizations. Doing so not only helps in organizing the knowledge found in documents and informal communications but also enables the development of more robust analytics and insights. Ultimately, better management of unstructured data is seen as foundational for enhancing the overall effectiveness of data catalogs.
AI and Automation in Data Management
The integration of AI, particularly through LLMs, is viewed as a transformative component in the evolution of data catalogs. The future may see these systems automating not only data management tasks but also enhancing the ability to deliver contextual insights and business value. With AI, organizations could engage conversational interfaces for data insights, shifting from a technical to a business-centric management approach. As organizations navigate this shift, the emphasis on fostering business observability and understanding will be crucial for maximizing data’s potential.
Redefining Success Metrics for Data Catalogs
Success for future iterations of data catalogs will not be determined solely by their technical capabilities, but by their ability to generate actionable business insights. A focus on business value emphasizes the need for catalogs to serve as a consultancy for business needs rather than merely a list of data assets. Organizations are encouraged to create a marketplace-like environment where users can derive tailored insights and actionable strategies. This strategic pivot requires data professionals to embrace a mindset that not only facilitates technical data management but also enhances the narrative surrounding data use within the organization.
Malcolm Hawker, Chief Data Officer at Profisee and host of CDO Matters Podcast, recently sparked a heated discussion on LinkedIn about where data catalogs are heading. His view? Data catalogs today are being commoditized and we need to pivot from data management to knowledge management. Join Malcolm, Tim, and Juan as they break down this debate and explore what other data professionals had to say about this shift in thinking.
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