
Secrets of Data Analytics Leaders
Listen to data and analytics leaders share the secrets of their success. Wayne Eckerson, long-time global thought leader interviews guests who run data and analytics programs at Fortune 2000 organizations around the world. Tune in to stay abreast of the latest technologies, techniques, and trends in our fast-paced industry.
Latest episodes

Jul 5, 2023 • 10min
Should AI Bots Build Your Data Pipelines? Part IV - Audio Blog
This blog recommends guiding principles for successful implementation of language models to assist data engineering.
Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/should-ai-bots-build-your-data-pipelines-part-iv-guiding-principles-for-success-with-language-models-and-data-engineering

Jul 5, 2023 • 9min
Should AI Bots Build Your Data Pipelines Part III - Audio Blog
An emerging approach to generative AI will help data engineering teams achieve much-needed productivity gains while controlling risk.
Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/should-ai-bots-build-your-data-pipelines-part-iii-the-emergence-of-small-language-models-for-data-engineering

Jun 28, 2023 • 16min
Analyst Series: Governing Costs with FinOps for Cloud Analytics
Dan O'Brien and Kevin Petrie discuss FinOps, which is a cost governance discipline for cloud-based analytics and operational projects.

Jun 27, 2023 • 5min
Independent Study: BI Vendor Messaging Shows Lack of Differentiation - Audio Blog
An annual assessment of the positioning strategies of the leading 21 BI vendors finds a lack of differentiation that makes it difficult for buyers to compare products. In the BI market’s sea of sameness, Qlik is the only vendor that stands out with this clever, memorable position.
Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/independent-study-bi-vendor-messaging-shows-lack-of-differentiation

Jun 27, 2023 • 7min
Driving ROI with Master Data Management, Part 1: Build Your Business Case - Audio Blog
MDM creates business value in three ways: it streamlines infrastructure, streamlines processes, and reduces risk.
Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/driving-roi-with-master-data-management-part-1-build-your-business-case

Jun 21, 2023 • 12min
The Universal Semantic Layer: More Than Enough?
“Universal” semantic layer tools introduced in recent years promise to standardize business metrics across the data stack, and eliminate silos of metrics trapped in semantic layers that are limited to specific data sources or BI platforms. This post offers considerations for adopting a universal semantic layer.
Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/the-universal-semantic-layer-more-than-enough

Jun 15, 2023 • 7min
Analytics Center of Excellence Part I: How to Shape the Organization - Audio Blog
An Analytics Center of Excellence empowers business teams to meet their own data needs by changing the role of IT from developer to facilitator. The reality, however, is that IT needs be both a facilitator and a developer.
Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/analytics-center-of-excellence-part-i-how-to-shape-the-organization

Jun 15, 2023 • 8min
The Modernizing Data Stack: Three Ways to Balance New and Old - Audio Blog
Traditional companies must balance new and old technologies as part of an ever-modernizing data stack. This blog explores how companies strike the right balance to navigate economic uncertainty, AI disruption, and the need for tool consolidation.
Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/the-modernizing-data-stack-three-ways-to-balance-new-and-old

Jun 15, 2023 • 8min
Should AI Bots Build Your Data Pipelines? Part II - Audio Blog
LLMs are hugely popular with data engineers because they boost productivity. But companies must adapt their data governance programs to control risks related to data quality, privacy, intellectual property, fai-Datarness, and explainability.
Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/should-ai-bots-build-your-data-pipelines-part-ii-risks-and-governance-approaches-for-data-engineers-to-use-large-language-models

Jun 14, 2023 • 10min
Data Products: Part of a Data Mesh Initiative or a Stand-Alone Strategy - Audio Blog
Despite innovations in data architecture, infrastructure, and analytics, most organizations today still struggle to realize the promised value of data. Learn how the data mesh principle of data as a product can help, as part of a data mesh initiative or as a stand-alone strategy.
Published at: https://www.eckerson.com/articles/data-products-part-of-a-data-mesh-initiative-or-a-stand-alone-strategy