The architect/Techno-functional SPOC plays a crucial role when a tech team must design infrastructure based on functional needs. Often, conflicts arise from a lack of understanding, but setting clear priorities and communication can align the process. Key steps include: Identify DBA challenges. Meet with BI/Business Analysts to clarify reporting needs and potential DBA conflicts. Document potential solutions and host a joint DBA/BI/BA lead call. Understand the technical barriers and work on solutions, from storage limitations to technology adaptations. Announce planned implementation announcement across all teams and implement a phased plan, ensuring all teams are aligned for smoother releases.

First, aligning both teams with a unified vision that ties the data model to key business objectives gives everyone a bigger-picture focus. Setting governance guidelines around data ownership, access, and compliance helps prevent ambiguity and reduce future conflicts. I also encourage an iterative prototyping approach, allowing both teams to provide feedback and refine the model gradually. Maintaining transparency through shared tools, like data dictionaries or schema repositories, keeps everyone informed and fosters trust. Finally, encouraging cross-training builds empathy and respect by helping each team understand the other’s constraints and objectives.

In my experience if a BI solution is causing a DBA grief the solution is wrong. Full Stop. This is not a debate about how to make a rdbms run an inefficient/broken BI model or support some new data tool. At the end of the day there is a quantifiable body of work that needs to be done with any collection of data flowing into and out of an information system- this includes the basics such as typing/constraints/load/unload/etc. This body of work also includes knowing the capabilities of the platform you are on of which a DBA is the only expert in the room on this. There is no BI challenge that should ever give pause to a well managed rdbms. If a solution is causing the underlying systems to breakdown then the solution needs re-worked.

I like a Kitkat, a decent coffee and to sit with the team and talk like grown-ups. If you need to use complex terms to explain that, use degree course jargon to put this into a 1000 word reply, you missed the point. Two parties need to talk, speak clearly and keep it simple. Use common terms and reach a solution.