THE HIDDEN COSTS OF TECHNICAL DEBT

The term “technical debt” first arose in the domain of software development. It was coined by Ward Cunningham, one of the pioneers of software development and a co-creator of the Agile Manifesto, in the early 1990s. Cunningham used the metaphor of technical debt to describe the long-term costs of taking shortcuts in software design and development. These shortcuts might lead to faster delivery in the short-term but accumulate “debt” that must be “paid back” through refactoring, debugging, or rewriting code in the future. Just like financial debt, technical debt incurs “interest” over time in the form of increased maintenance costs, complexity and potential issues that can hinder future development. The hidden costs of technical debt in the world of software [...]

2024-09-18T06:19:31+02:0020 August 2024|Data Excellence, Data Strategy|

Data Management: The Biggest Blunders Companies Make When Adopting AI

Just when you thought the AI conversation had been completely exhausted another one hits your feed! But stick around for the message because the fundamentals really matter. Maybe adopting AI solutions can be analogous to baking a cake... At CoAcumen we are passionate about supporting businesses to adopt the fundamentals in data practices and while the topic of AI might be getting stale, the way businesses still seem to look for silver bullet solutions to sticky problems, is as fresh as ever. It would seem that organisations are gradually becoming aware that this new shiny technological advancement holds an elusive, unattainable quality which evokes an element of anxiety and FOMO. It need not be the case. Yes, there are some [...]

Beyond the Silver Bullet: Technology Bias Hinders Real Organisational Transformation

A silver bullet refers to a direct or effortless solution to a problem that cuts through complexities and is perceived to have extreme and immediate effectiveness. Organisations often view technology as a silver bullet for a number of reasons which can help explain why they might neglect the critical process, meta, human or cultural layers that have to be addressed as part of the implementation of technology solutions. 1. Perceived Simplicity and Quick Wins: Technology solutions often promise quick and tangible improvements. New software or systems can be marketed as ready-to-use, providing instant benefits that are easy to understand and measure. Implementing a new tool can seem like a straightforward, one-time investment compared to the ongoing, complex nature of cultural [...]

The Human Touch: Why People are Crucial in the Data Lifecycle

It's easy to overlook the vital role that humans play in managing and deriving value from data. While technology is undoubtedly crucial, the human element remains irreplaceable throughout the data lifecycle. Let's explore why people, particularly data owners and stakeholders, are essential in turning raw information into strategic assets. The Data Lifecycle: More Than Just Algorithms The data lifecycle isn't a purely mechanical process. At every stage, human insight, decision-making, and ethics are crucial: 1. Data Creation and Acquisition: Humans decide what data to collect and how to obtain it ethically. 2. Data Storage: People determine the most appropriate and secure storage methods. 3. Data Usage: Human creativity drives the innovative ways data is analysed and applied. 4. Data [...]

Understanding AI Readiness: A Guide for Businesses

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries, driving efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage. However, the journey towards AI adoption is not straightforward. It requires a foundation of robust data practices, governance, and security. This article delves into what AI readiness means concerning data, data structure, data governance, and data security, highlighting the importance of data literacy and collaboration for achieving a workable AI solution. Data: The Lifeblood of AI Quality and Quantity: AI systems thrive on data. The more high-quality data you have, the better your AI models will perform. Quality data is accurate, complete, reliable, and relevant. It's crucial to collect a diverse range of data to ensure your AI systems can generalise well across different scenarios. Data Sources: [...]

Accelerating Data Strategies

The Data landscape is evolving rapidly, organisations are facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities. CoAcumen reviewed the latest Couchbase CIO survey and realised that the pressing need for investment in IT modernisation, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and data management, is missing a strategic view on data management on a human level. According to the survey’s findings, there is a significant uptick in IT modernisation spending, with a projected increase of nearly 30% in 2024. Enterprises are keen to leverage new technologies such as AI and edge computing to enhance productivity and stay competitive in today's fast-paced business environment. However, despite the surge in investment, many organisations are ill-prepared to meet the growing data demands associated with [...]

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