Implementing Data Mesh

Chapter 16. Establishing a Practical Data Mesh Roadmap

This chapter offers a pragmatic roadmap for Data Mesh implementation, building on the foundational understanding established in previous chapters. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of this undertaking, we explore how to navigate the complex interplay of technology, organizational culture and operating model, data-product creation, and governance that is required to put together a practical and feasible Data Mesh roadmap.

Here are a few quick notes to provide additional context for our roadmap:

• Our goal is to lay out the various streams of work required to get to that desirable end state. While this is somewhat comprehensive, that doesn’t mean it’s intended only for large organizations. Rather, this roadmap should be viewed as a set of capabilities that you should consider, but it’s up to you to pick and choose what you need.

• The roadmap appears as streams with sequenced steps, which may lead some readers to assume that this is a “waterfall” approach. This is absolutely not the case. Rather, each stream can happen somewhat independently and in parallel, with touch points between them. And each stream can operate in an agile fashion, delivering needed components iteratively.

• The roadmap has timescales (in months). These are meant to be indicative, not prescriptive, as we recognize that each organization’s capability and processes are different. The timescales are offered more as relative comparisons among the various ...