The role of data modeling in the modern data stack

Data modeling is experiencing a resurgence in the data landscape, driven by the rise of modern data stacks and the need for organizations to transform raw data into actionable insights. With tools like dbt and ingestion solutions like Snowplow, companies can now own their data transformation processes, applying business logic to raw data to create tailored, opinionated data sets that align with organizational goals. This shift has led to the emergence of the Analytics Engineer role, which bridges data engineering and analytics by transforming data for business intelligence use. The empowerment of internal teams through self-service data capabilities enhances data productivity, enabling organizations to make informed decisions based on a unified data source. However, designing effective data models requires a nuanced understanding of both the business and its data, presenting challenges that some less data-mature companies still address through automated solutions. As the field continues to evolve, there is a growing emphasis on taking ownership of data transformation to support long-term strategic decision-making.