how sql dbas and developers can speak to business leaders
TRANSCRIPT
How SQL DBAs and Developers can speak to business leaders
Ron ReevesVP of Business Solutions
V-Soft Consulting
June 21, 2014
#286 | Louisville 2014
ABOUT ME
My perspective
Developer Manager / Owner Customer
Direct teams Outsourced teams
THE BUSINESS REALITIES
Confusing and competing goals
Disrupted markets Global competition Higher customer
expectations Greater visibility
Disparate systems
Mergers and acquisitions
Organic growth over time
Opportunistic market plays
Customer specific demands
Wide access to all required parties
Internal staff Complete access Minimal disruption Empowered
Customers Self service 24/7 access
Most “bang for the buck”
Maximize users on systems
Minimize capital outlay
Minimize ongoing expense
Protect status quo
Others?
Confusing and competing goals Disparate systems / opportunistic Wide access to all required parties Most “bang for the buck”
Other Examples from your world ___?
TECHNICAL PERSPECTIVE
Ability to plan based on goals
Scalability and DB architecture planning
Unified data Performance tuning Data Integrity
Data integrity
Prevent data corruption
Primary and foreign key constraints
Reliable recovery plan Routine data
scrubbing
Security
Tight access control Difficult passwords Strict expiration rules Robust roles
assignment mechanism
Login timeouts
Redundant hardware Redundant cloud
zones Snapshot and
rollback plan Responsive Load balanced
Reliability
Others?
Ability to plan based on goals Data integrity Security Reliability
Other Examples from your world ___?
THERE IS A GAP!
The Gap
Business Realities Technical Perspective Confusing and
competing goals Disparate systems /
opportunistic Wide access to all
required parties Most “bang for the
buck”
Ability to plan based on goals
Data integrity Security Reliability
BUT WAIT, HASN’T THIS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM?
Why it is different now
Wider and deeper integration of IT into all aspects of business
More connected devices Increased complexity, volume and speed of data
acquisition Greater expectations for speed and availability
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Opportunities
Technical leaders with business insight Coordination and communication Identify new opportunities Skills in emerging opportunities Increased complexity requires more skilled
practitioners
HOW DO I THRIVE?
Required Strengths
According to the U. S. Department of Labor… Analytical skills Communication skills Detail oriented Logical thinking Problem-solving skills
Communication Skills – The Key
Treat communication as another tool Ask a lot of questions about the business Connect business goals to your goals Speak the “language” of the business Share concerns
Communication as a tool
Developers and DBA are adept at tools Communication is one more tool So are business principles Look for opportunities to extend your “tool-set”
thinking across the communication spectrum
Ask a lot of questions
Business leaders are afraid you are not considering the whole picture
Lots of probing questions demonstrate understanding
Understanding breeds trust Trust means credibility and action
Connect goals
Remember, we all have our own goals. Identify the goals of the business leaders you
engage with Find connections between their goals and yours Identify financial ramifications Create realistic plans around achieving goals Communicate plans and progress
Speak the language
Understand the business and competitive landscape you are in
Research you leadership to determine their background
Look at your company from the perspective of your customers
Understand the organization’s goals and timeframe
Share concerns and challenges
You are under a lot of stress because you care! Share this.– 24/7 support– Responsible for production data and operations
Cost savings opportunities Threats New market opportunities
Always remember: keep it in “their” language, and have the case to back it up
Q&A
About Me:
Ron Reeves – V.P. Business SolutionsV-Soft Consulting2115 Stanley Gault ParkwayLouisville, KY 40223Office: 502-253-3393
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rnreeves