Data, Products, Engineering: The Three Musketeers of Tech
Introduction
The concept of “Data Product” is pivotal in understanding the symbiotic relationship between data, product development, and engineering. The integration of these three domains is not merely a technical challenge but also a fundamental shift in mindset — a theme that DJ Patil introduces in his book Data Jujitsu: The Art of Turning Data into Product. The illustration of interconnected islands represents these domains (shown below), each playing a crucial role in the lifecycle of a Data Product.
“Great things in business are never done by one person; they’re done by a team of people.” — Steve Jobs
Island of Data
Central to decision-making, this island symbolizes the role of data in deriving actionable insights and guiding business strategies. The visual representation of mountains and clouds highlights the vastness and elevation of data, suggesting its high value and overarching impact on the tech ecosystem.
This island, where the journey of a Data Product begins, is all about leveraging data to derive actionable insights. According to Patil, a Data Product is defined as “a product that facilitates an end goal through the use of data.” This broad yet purposeful definition underscores the island’s role as the foundation…
