Embarking on a big data journey can be a daunting task for any enterprise. The process begins with identifying a business problem that data can help solve. This could range from improving customer service to enhancing product development. Once the problem is identified, a team is assembled, often including a data scientist, data engineer, and a business analyst.

This team is tasked with coming up with a hypothesis and using data to either validate or disprove it. The data used can be both internal and external, depending on the problem at hand. The team then analyses the data and presents the results to the decision-makers, who determine the next steps.

A successful big data project not only solves a business problem but also creates a data-driven culture within the organisation. This shift in culture is crucial as it ensures that data is not just used for one-off projects but becomes a part of the company’s everyday decision-making process.

Finally, the journey does not end with the completion of one project. Instead, it is an ongoing process that requires continuous learning and adaptation. As the business environment changes, new problems arise, and the enterprise must be ready to use data to tackle these new challenges.

In other words, the big data journey is not a destination, but a continuous process of improvement and adaptation. It’s a journey that requires a clear vision, a dedicated team, and a commitment to becoming a data-driven organisation.

Go to source article: http://radar.oreilly.com/2015/07/how-an-enterprise-begins-its-big-data-journey.html