GOOD STRATEGY

Category: data architecture

  • Podcast Episode: Building A Data Logistics Hub

    Podcast Episode: Building A Data Logistics Hub

    Futuristic data center labeled Central Logistics Hub, with glowing data routes, servers, and operators
    Glowing data pathways weave through a multi-level logistics hub filled with servers and operators.

    Pip: If you have ever looked at your organisation’s data landscape and thought “this resembles a motorway junction designed by someone who hates drivers,” then Martyn Jones has a blueprint with your name on it.

    Mara: This episode follows a series of posts introducing the Data Logistics Hub — covering what the concept is, why the pain points are real, how strategy and architecture hold it together, and what the actual components look like in practice.

    Pip: Let’s start with the foundations — what the hub is and why it exists.

    (more…)
  • Podcast Episode: Data Mesh Under Fire

    Podcast Episode: Data Mesh Under Fire

    Pip: Good Strategy Rebellion — where the sacred cows of enterprise tech get a proper going-over. Today we’re deep in the data wars, asking whether the industry’s favourite architectural revolution is actually a revolution, or just the same old chaos in a new lanyard.

    Mara: Martyn Jones has been writing about exactly that — covering the case against Data Mesh, what it means for how organisations actually govern and use their data, and why the rational data warehouse keeps refusing to stay dead.

    Pip: Let’s start with the bonfire.

    (more…)
  • Rethinking Data Systems: A Call for Accountability

    Rethinking Data Systems: A Call for Accountability

    Pip: Good Strategy Rebellion — where the sacred cows of Silicon Valley come to be skewered, preferably with footnotes.

    Mara: Today we’re in the territory Martyn Jones has been carving out: a full-scale critique of data architecture hype, the case against fashionable frameworks, and a defence of the unglamorous systems that actually work.

    Pip: Coherence over chaos, basically. Let’s start with the bonfire.

    (more…)
  • CEO BRIEFING: What Every CEO Needs to Know About Big Data – Revisited – 2026/01/26

    CEO BRIEFING: What Every CEO Needs to Know About Big Data – Revisited – 2026/01/26

    Martyn Richard Jones

    New York City, 18th January 2017

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
    Blue sky for professional data architecture and management

    Scope

    I’ll make this short, sweetish and to the point.

    These are the arguments that CEOs need to know about Big Data.

    It was written for CEOs and those who provide independent advice to CEOs.

    If you are someone who wants to be prepared for CEOs who are armed with the realities of Big Data, then maybe this is for you too.

    Point One: Big Data is bullshit

    (more…)
  • DATA WORLD: The Future of Data: Embracing Cognitive Liquidity- 2026/02/03

    DATA WORLD: The Future of Data: Embracing Cognitive Liquidity- 2026/02/03

    The End of the Fortress: Why the Future of Data is “Liquid”

    By Martyn Rhisiart Jones | Madrid, 3rd February 2026

    In a landmark session at the Welsh Academy, Sir Afilonius Rex sat down with Martyn Rhisiart Jones. They aimed to dismantle our outdated obsession with “data management.” The verdict? The era of the digital fortress is dead. In its place, a new paradigm of Cognitive Liquidity and Data Autonomy is emerging, redefining how we integrate global knowledge.

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  • DATA WORLD: Big Data: The Art of Bullshit – 2026

    DATA WORLD: Big Data: The Art of Bullshit – 2026

    Bertxin Galestara and Sir Afilonius Rex,  based on an  opinion piece written by Marty Rhisiart Jones

    Mountain View, 19th January 2017 – Bandoxa Thursday 15th January, 2026

    “I’ve been accused of vulgarity. I say that’s bullshit.” – Mel Brooks

    If you enjoy this piece or find it useful, then please consider joining The Big Data Contrarians on LinkedIn. (more…)

  • Understanding Data-Less Apps: The Future of IT

    Understanding Data-Less Apps: The Future of IT

    Image1Martyn Rhisiart Jones

    Dublin 9th May 2017 –  revised 21st December 2025

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  • Reality Check: Data Mesh and Data Warehousing  

    Reality Check: Data Mesh and Data Warehousing  

    To begin at the beginning

    A few days ago, I published a blog piece that contained the following paragraphs:

    I am quite a fan of many aspects that sit under the Data Mesh umbrella. However, when it comes to a proper fact-based understanding and analysis of the history, place and architecture (business, data and technical) of Data Warehousing the leading exponents of data mesh have it woefully wrong.

    Therefore, the purpose of this blog article is to set the record straight.

    However, it seems to be that denial and specious arguments, are the preferred weapons of choice, over simply and honestly engaging in a professional discourse about these concerns.

    Fast-forward to the future

    Pages: 1 2

  • DATA WORLD: Why I called bullshit on the data lakehouse nonsense

    DATA WORLD: Why I called bullshit on the data lakehouse nonsense

    Why I called bullshit on the data lakehouse nonsense

    I wrote an article that took to task purveyors of the data lakehouse nonsense. It got plenty of positive reactions and quite a few negative opinions. But what surprised me the most were the number of people who had already swallowed their pitch. Hook, line and sinker.

    So why did I bother to express my opinions on the subject?

    (more…)
  • THE TEN BIG DATA COMMANDMENTS

    THE TEN BIG DATA COMMANDMENTS

    HOW TO SUCCEED WITH BIG DATA

    Here are the ten golden rules of belief for surefire big data success:

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  • REVEALING WEALTH: USING BIG DATA TO FIGHT TAX EVASION – MARTYN JONES

    REVEALING WEALTH: USING BIG DATA TO FIGHT TAX EVASION – MARTYN JONES

    REVEALING WEALTH: USING BIG DATA TO FIGHT TAX EVASION – MARTYN JONES

    If anything, taxes for the lower and middle class and maybe even the upper-middle class should even probably be cut further. But I think that people at the high end – people like myself – should be paying a lot more in taxes. We have it better than we’ve ever had it.

    Warren Buffett

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  • Data must adapt or die!

    Data must adapt or die!

    Martyn Richard Jones

    Our bloke in Brussels, 3rd July 2019

    It’s a simple, timeless, human truth; data must adapt or die.

    Read between the lines, the writing on the wall, the fat lady singing and the barking dogs at the gate.

    (more…)
  • Three really stupid things you can do with a Data Lake

    Three really stupid things you can do with a Data Lake

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAMartyn Richard Jones

    Gif sur Yvette, 27th December 2017

    To begin at the beginning

    First, a thought.

    Just because it’s there, it doesn’t mean it has to be done. Just because you can, it doesn’t mean that you should. Just because you believe you are right, doesn’t mean that you are not wrong.

    (more…)

  • Business Data Explained: The Long Read

    Business Data Explained: The Long Read

    Martyn Richard Jones, Gif sur Yvette 23rd September 2017

    Integrity

    Hi, Friends. As always, it’s great to be able to engage with you again. I am writing to you from the splendorous, wooded and verdant French town of Gif sur Yvette, and I wanted to take this opportunity to address aspects of data for an audience beyond the interests of data management and architecture people.

    There is confusion about some of the fundamental aspects of business data, and there shouldn’t. If we strip away all of the boloney, it’s a subject that is quite approachable. In short, ‘it is not rocket surgery’. (more…)

  • STRAIGHT TALK: How to turn data into knowledge

    STRAIGHT TALK: How to turn data into knowledge

    Martyn Jones

    Zurich, Switzerland – 3rd August 2017

    Image2If anyone can turn data into knowledge then that person is me.

    Let me explain.

    I am a data architecture and management professional. For more than three decades I have been acquiring knowledge and experience in the design and delivery of effective data and solutions architectures for a wide range of projects and in a wide range of (mainly large global or regional) enterprise clients.

    Therefore I think I can reasonably presume to have built up quite a good personal body of knowledge when it comes to applied data architecture and management.

    As well as being a professional in the management and architecture of data, I have also considerable knowledge and experience in the areas of information management, artificial intelligence and knowledge management (structured intellectual capital).

    So, what about turning data or information into knowledge? (more…)

  • STRAIGHT TALK: 5 Simple Tips to Help You Survive the Big Data Bullshit Revolution

    STRAIGHT TALK: 5 Simple Tips to Help You Survive the Big Data Bullshit Revolution

    Image1Afilonius Rex

    Dunny on the Wold, 1st July 2017

    The 4th big data bullshit is here, and it is completely reimagining the way we conceptualise, think and reason. This amazingly and imaginary Govesque world is driven by hyperbole and mendacity distributed via interconnected digital devices that are capable of amassing and fermenting ever-growing amounts of big data bullshit.

    (more…)

  • Become an Instant Big Data Rock Star with 10 Insider Tips from the Top

    Become an Instant Big Data Rock Star with 10 Insider Tips from the Top

    002Martyn Richard Jones  

    Talacharn, 28th May 2017

    Folks! Here I bring you ten amazing tips from some of Big Data’s great and good. Tips that will help you become the Big Data Rock Star that you have always dreamed of being.

    But first, a question.

    What’s the sexiest job in the 21st century? (more…)

  • How to turn internal user data into a massive liability – Zéro pièce

    How to turn internal user data into a massive liability – Zéro pièce

    5

    Martyn Richard Jones

    Laugharne 18th May 2017

    “Our discreditable secret is that we don’t know anything at all, and our horrid inner secret is that we don’t care that we don’t.”

    ― Dylan Thomas

    Let me explain

    I read a poster the other, it read “How To Turn Internal User Data Into Revenue”. It was one of those Facebook or LinkedIn hooks, you know, the ones used to get people to spend precious time on useless pursuits.

    It reminded me of a book that my mother-in-law bought for my partner, many, many moons ago. “How to make a mint whilst you snooze”, or some such wacky title.

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  • TEAM 2.0 Total Eminence Analytical Mapper – The highest level architecture

    TEAM 2.0 Total Eminence Analytical Mapper – The highest level architecture

    This is the draft version of TEAM 0.1

    The TEAM 2.0 version will be published in June 2017.

    This will by far the best and most streamlined and comprehensive analytics and (big) data framework that has ever existed in the life-time of IT.

    TEAM2

    Many thanks for reading.

  • AI and Big Data: A pig’s breakfast

    AI and Big Data: A pig’s breakfast

    Pigs_eating_pumpkins.jpgMartyn Richard Jones

    Dublin 10th May 2017

    Throw AI, Big Data and Data Science into a pot, and what have you got?

    Yes. A pig’s breakfast, not fit for a pig.

    Let me explain

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  • Data-Less Apps: Revolutionary IT

    Data-Less Apps: Revolutionary IT

    Image1Martyn Richard Jones

    Dublin 9th May 2017

    Weighed down with data?

    Inundated with information?

    Overstrained with knowledge?

    Intimidated by wisdom?

    Don’t despair!

    Relief from all of this is just be around the corner, in the shape of the next revolutionary inflection point in IT. Yes, as you might have guessed it by now. I am talking about data-less apps. (more…)

  • Brand Aversion: Exhibit One

    Brand Aversion: Exhibit One

    Martyn Richard Jones

    San Luis Obispo 16th April 2017

    La-mode-sur-tous-les-tableauxTaking a Pop at Traditional Data Warehousing

    Pitch: I recently read a report from a data visualisation company on the “Top Ten Big Data Trends for 2017”. This is what they told me “Hadoop is no longer just a batch-processing platform for data-science use cases. It has become a multi-purpose engine for ad hoc analysis. It’s even being used for operational reporting on day-to-day workloads—the kind traditionally handled by data warehouses.” (more…)

  • Big Dummies for Data

    Big Dummies for Data

    Martyn Jones

    Madrid 25th January 2017

    header

    HERE’S A THOUGHT! In the past age of big iron, the only reason for not having a proliferation of duplicated databases was the prohibitively high cost of disk storage. Now, we can let our database collections grow ‘like Topsy’. This is the Brave New World of data… apparently…

    Let’s, for one moment, be the fly-guy on the corporate wall. What are we picking up on the radar there, Enda? Oh, yes…

    (more…)

  • Hadoop’s Revolutionary Data Warehouse

    Hadoop’s Revolutionary Data Warehouse

    Martyn Richard Jones

    Baile Átha Cliath

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
    2017 Martyn Richard Jones

    It’s Easter in Baile Átha Cliath, and thoughts naturally turn to purple-shrouded, sombre-shadowed and mystical aspects of bereavement, resurrection and bunnies.

    Which may go some way to explain why people come up to me in the street, and apropos of nothing, ask me about what is the biggest reason why Data Warehousing projects fail.

    Try as I might, I cannot convince people that the reasons I give have any validity. It’s as if the mundaneness of the stupidity involved in these failures is just too frivolous, banal and immature as to be believable or even worth listening to.

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