DataOps Aphorisms

We speak to a lot of people about the ideas behind DataOps. Sometimes, the shortest phrase captures the idea the best.

The dictionary defines an Aphorism as aph·o·rism /ˈafəˌrizəm/ (noun):
a pithy observation that contains a general truth.

So we collected many of the things we have been saying in conferences, sales calls, and during customer implementations and created this rotating gif. Let us know what you think!

DataOps Aphorisms

Here is the list of DataOps Aphorisms:

• It is not about data silos; it is about people and tool silos.
• It is not about the machine; it is about the machine that makes the machine.
• It is not about answering your customer’s question; it is about being able to answer all the follow-up questions quickly.
• It is not about the next analysis; it is about building a system that makes it easier to answer the next analysis.
• It is not about data quality; it is about low rates of error.
• It is not about being a hero; it is about how to make heroism a rare event.
• It is not about the fear of making a change; it is about the removal of fear from making changes.
• The problem is not that there is too much data. The problem is there are too many people, too many tools, and too slow processes to take advantage of that data.
• You spend all day helping your customers more analytic, so why are you so un-analytic about how you run your data analytics teams?
• It’s better to get your customer something 70% right today, then giving them something 100% right a month from today.
• Want a real superpower? Have the power to say: sure we can do that … we’ll have a first draft in a couple of days.
• Do you know what “don’t be a hero” really means? Don’t solve problems, figure out how to never create them in the first place.
• No Shame. No Blame. Love Your Errors.
• It’s not a failure; it’s an opportunity for improvement.
• Multiple takes lead to highlight reels.