What do you do if you want to shift from a technical role to a business-focused role in data warehousing?

In the era of fourth industrial revolution where boundaries between various fields have diffused, data aspirants should strive for an interdisciplinary role. Those from purely technical background can begin by executing end-to-end data project. Effective networking with relevant stakeholders is also the key. Let’s take an example of a Telecom sector worker sourcing Ookla speed test data by building data pipeline. They should advance the project by deriving insights like: - Trend assessment of avg upload/download speed and ping - Evaluate the company’s KPIs with competitors To present above findings, create impactful visualizations that align with minimalist approach. The well executed project might help land more business facing projects.

Stop thinking as a data producer and start thinking as a data consumer. The key is your ability to carve out a strategy that enables generation of actionable insight from data that delivers quantifiable impact to the business. The leader will be the one who can envision data as the unit block of digital business models and realize pragmatic unit economics around it.

To prepare for business-focused role ,it should be a three-step process (for me) Start making business acquaintances for successful technical implementation. My theory is to see the data as not with rows and columns and run time (with CPU) but with the business values to effectively design the application. Then, with the knowledge of business as a stepping stone, you can get into more domain knowledge, and thus, with frequent discussions with business leaders, you can understand their problem statements and find solutions. With understanding of domain knowledge and experience in solving problems, you will be able to fit a role as a business-focused individual (with technical expertise)

To change from a technical to a business-focused role in data warehousing, I understand the importance of grasping business objectives, developing communication and data analysis skills, and building relationships with stakeholders. I actively seek learning opportunities and participate in interdisciplinary projects. With patience and flexibility, I believe I can successfully transition by applying my technical skills in a business context.

One thing I have found helpful when transitioning from a technical role to a business-focused role is to learn to think as a product owner. Understanding the consumer side and how consumers apply the product to all operational activities and how this relates to the organizational strategic objectives helps gain the required exposure for a smooth transition.

It’s all about learning the business and the needs of business users. Take a deep dive into their struggles and their data sources and try to understand how can we help them. The success of any data warehouse comes from this step. If the final result doesn’t meet the requirements/needs the model created was a failure

I align with the need to learn and acquaint yourself with the business strategies, requirements, and measures around business success. Crossing from a technical role to a more business-focused role should not be too much of a challenge. Expectedly, your previous technical experience has built you with foundational data knowledge around quality. Hence, your required effort would be to get used to raising the right questions around KPI's and analytical objectives to the business users. In that regard, being a relentless team player would be an arsenal for you to get to this new role and with great impact.

One with technical knowledge is already in a sweet spot and positioned well to pick up business knowledge. Keep absorbing from key business users, their challenges and priorities. This helps hone one's business skills.

Being a techie in DW domain, I always tried to understand how our Data warehouse solution is helping the business. Always try to understand who are the consultants of the data/reports our DW solution is providing and why these stakeholders have certain reporting requirements. Try to understand various KPIs. This would definitely help you to understand the business.

Domain knowledge is the key factor. If you can do business process mapping and analyze the gaps you can create a different vision of data..

1) Become extremely good in understanding of the data/applications and the business flow 2) Work with Business users closely, help them to convert their business stories into technical ones. Understand the Business , flows clearly. After doing these multiple times you can easily move towards the business roles. 4) Data Engineer ---> Data Analyst --> Business Analyst would be easy way for Technical person to move towards a Business Roles. How ever if there is some domain related courses or certifications through which the candidate can learn the business directly , he can move to the business roles faster.

I believe in networking is like building bridges in your career journey. When shifting career paths, it's essential to connect with people who have walked similar paths. These connections can offer valuable advice and guidance. Attend industry events and join professional groups related to data warehousing and business intelligence. Engage with people online and offline, sharing experiences and learning from others' journeys. By expanding your network, you gain insights into what it takes to thrive in business-focused roles. Plus, these connections may lead to exciting job opportunities down the road.

Demonstrate your business understanding either through performing beyond expectations or excelling in that task which lies at the convergence with business analysis.

Connect with internal team that does similar work. Express how you can add value. Showcase your skills and what you bring to the table. Go to meetups.

Una vez en el trabajo, el networking es vital para la transición hacia un enfoque empresarial de los datos. Permite acceder a oportunidades laborales relevantes y conectar con expertos en el campo, quienes ofrecen conocimientos, orientación y las mejores prácticas. Además, fomenta relaciones profesionales sólidas y proporciona apoyo y mentoría para enfrentar desafíos durante la transición. En resumen, el networking desempe?a un papel fundamental al ofrecer oportunidades laborales, conocimientos especializados y respaldo necesario en esta evolución hacia el ámbito empresarial de los datos

To shift from a technical to a business role in data warehousing, gaining additional experience "on the other side of the fence" can be invaluable. Seek mentorship or job shadowing to gain firsthand business insights. Or simply request to be part of a project where you take on a more business-focused role under the tutelage of someone more senior in the field. If direct opportunities are limited or unavailable, attend industry conferences or workshops for a glimpse into business operations or to network with peers on similar paths or those who've successfully made the shift.

Based on my experience, you need to work more technically and gain more business information during the technical work, also be aware about the DWH cycle and the data flow in the DWH layers and then you can fit the business role in the DWH.

When it comes to data you learn as you get deep into it. Gaining a rich experience of data and visualization platforms through building reports, doing analysis, identifying opportunities to help management take informed decision helps. While someone gains experience technically by doing all of it, it's important to know the functional nature of data as well and be equipped with enough familiarity before making a transition.

Change your perspective towards data warehousing request going forward. Try to understand what is the problem statement or a use case for which Business has raised request. Any change or update you shall make in the data warehouse technical, please try to understand the business impact. It is also important to understand which business line suits you best and you have done maximum work for them.

Seeking opportunities to take on projects with a business focus within your current role. Volunteer for cross-functional teams or committees that involve working with business users. You can also propose new projects that bridge the gap between technical data and business needs

I like to think about layers of value and mapping value to business outcomes. Good artchitects think this way. Similarly when entering into a new business data role its helpful to understand the business domain and be aware that information (and good quality data) is the most prized asset the business has. This takes good judgment, product knowledge and business operating model awareness.

100% agree with this. Your story of adding value to business and their vision, to company data strategy and how the technology enables the teams to their work more efficiently with accurate and fit for purpose data, if you are able to tell and communicate this story well, you are on the right path.

When presenting work, emphasizing the business impact of data warehousing efforts. Quantify the results whenever possible to demonstrate how the work improved decision-making, reduced costs, or increased revenue.

Ensure that you emphasize the business impact of your experience when describing it. Imagine you’re hiring someone for a personal role in your life. When you hire a realtor to sell your house, you’re interested in their ability to secure offers quickly, negotiate favorable prices, and successfully close deals. These achievements are business accomplishments. Now, apply a similar mindset when presenting your value to a potential employer. Highlight how you can contribute to their success. Additionally, don’t overlook your technical expertise. Finding a perfect candidate is challenging, your technical acumen can make the difference between securing an interview or job offer

An important question to consider for this transition is the reason why you want to make this change. Is it because you are not passionate about technology, better financial opportunities, or something else. Knowing this answer will help set you on the right path, but you should also be prepared to explain your motivation during a potential interview. Depending on what part of the business you are looking to transition will also play a factor on how simple or difficult this transition will be.

Understand industry trends. Relate your day jobs to how it impacts the organization and further see how it’s positioned across the industry. For example, you might be creating reports that are required for regulatory submissions or report the ESG compliance back to authorities. Taking a backstage and looking at the wider picture gives you a spectrum of possibilities where you can learn business nuances.

Changing from a technical role to a business oriented role is often coming quite naturally. If one for example works as a technical data warehouse consultant for a customer, it may be possible and mutually beneficial to change work towards the business side of that customer. So it is often just a matter of taking an opportunity when it presents itself.

Focus on understanding and developing the semantic model. Use your insights in this domain to work more closely with the business community. Be their conduit.

As businesses adopt artificial intelligence, the role of the "keeper of the corporate jewels" will become more and more important. After all, your large language models have to get their information from somewhere. Your machine learning algorithms need data in the optimal format. Data (not numbers) is the new black gold.