Without a Proper Data Contract, the Value from Data Products is Limited

In my experience, having a proper data contract is like having a blueprint when trying to build a house. Without it, the construction may still go on, but the result might not be what was envisioned. To me, the absence of a data contract in the realm of data products is a surefire way to miss out on extracting full value. Let me break this down in simpler terms.

A data contract is similar to that agreement. In the world of computers, when two systems or applications want to talk to each other, they need to agree on a specific format or structure for the data they exchange. This agreed format is called a “data contract”. It ensures that both sides understand and expect the same kind of data, so there’s no confusion.

1. Lost in Translation:

To draw an analogy, processing data without a data contract feels like trying to read a book in a language I’m unfamiliar with. Data comes from so many sources, and if there’s no standardized format, it’s easy for information to get misinterpreted or even lost. It’s akin to expecting an English book and getting one in French — the essence is lost.

2. Inconsistency:

It reminds me of watching a movie with a plot that jumps around haphazardly. Without a clear data…