Data Architects and the New Big
Over thirty years ago, my business users asked for two years of customer data. IT said “Too big. Too costly.” Twenty years ago, my business users asked for five years of data in the data warehouse. IT...
View ArticleAs the dust settles…
Winston Churchill once said, “’No comment’ is a splendid expression. I am using it again and again.” For the past eight months, the ERwin user community has faced uncertainty during the now terminated...
View ArticleERworld and the epic life
I am an optimist and social media junkie for inspirational and motivational people. Two seemingly unrelated tweets appeared in my Twitter feed this week. CA Technologies announced the agenda and...
View ArticleThe shift of the data architect’s paradigm
If you want small changes in your life, work on your attitude. But if you want big and primary changes, work on your paradigm.– Stephen Covey Reflecting back on last week’s Enterprise Data World, the...
View Article10 Random questions on Tom’s mind
I keep my eyes open for things that pertain to the data world. I jot them down in a list of possible blog topics. This morning I took a look at the ever-growing list and decided to take ten items and...
View Article5 Do’s and Don’ts of data modeling
The Do’s Look to the future It is a misconception that modern development methods eliminate the enterprise view of database design. I must emphasize that shorter development cycles does not mean...
View ArticleEmail to my summer intern
Dear Data Architect Intern, Welcome to the world of data. This summer will give you some insight into the life of a data architect. I hope that by the end of summer you will consider a data-centric...
View ArticleShaking the data modeling tree
I have this image in my mind of a tropical island with a lone palm tree. A tribe of data modelers call the tree home. Occasionally, an app developer finds himself on the island looking for help. The...
View ArticleThoughts on the evolving role of data architects
The evolution of data over my career fascinates me. The volume of data continues to increase exponentially. Data is becoming more accessible to more diverse audiences. Data has moved to the forefront...
View Article6 tips on working with the non-data modeler
“I am supposed to use this fact table but can’t find any documentation on what it is.” I heard this eye opener over the cubicle wall. It is pretty disappointing from my data architect perspective. I...
View ArticleData modeling… dead or alive?
The reports of the death of data modeling and data architects are greatly exaggerated. It seems fitting to end the year sharing my thoughts on the viability of data modeling. Data is changing as it has...
View ArticleThe data modeling identity crisis
I have had an identity crisis for years. My resume is a trail of analyst, modeler, architect, engineer, designer job titles. A person unfamiliar with the data community would deduce that I am one...
View ArticleYou are a good data architect Charlie Brown
Are you a Charlie Brown data architect? You know what I am talking about. Are you pessimistic about the future of data modeling? Are you optimistic that as the importance of data grows, we will be more...
View ArticleThe engagement and practicality of data architect techniques
Artists have techniques. Chefs have techniques. The potter has techniques. Data architects likewise have techniques. No matter what your profession, you use techniques that help you get your job done....
View ArticleHard data management
Data management is hard. Don’t let any vendor tell you they have tools that will set you free to life on a beach while your data program magically runs itself. Tools can automate pieces of your data...
View ArticleHard data modeling
Many years ago when I began blogging about data modeling I thought my focus would be on helping fellow IT professionals be a better data modeler. There was a void in the blogosphere of data architects...
View ArticleData modeling: what’s old is new again
Data modeling is old. It is actually prehistoric in Information Technology terms. People are quick to label pre-internet technologies as dinosaurs and relegate them to the graveyard. Data modeling and...
View Article5 lessons I learned in 41 years of IT
On an early spring day in 1976 fresh out of college with a math degree in my pocket. I entered the IT workforce. I sought out a more technical job landing a position as a basic assembler language...
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