Data Mesh: Data as a Product

Data Mesh introduces the concept of treating data as a product, fundamentally shifting to a decentralized data ecosystem where data products are owned and managed by specific domains rather than a centralized team. This approach allows subject matter experts within each domain to focus on creating high-quality, valuable data products that drive business value. Data products, which include data, metadata, code, and infrastructure, become central to business operations and decision-making, with domains taking responsibility for their creation and maintenance. The decentralized model simplifies versioning and enhances the reliability and clarity of data, while tools like Starburst provide support by reducing the need for complex infrastructure and allowing data engineers to focus on preparing data products using familiar tools like SQL. Through this paradigm, data is recognized as a critical business asset, fostering a culture where data is treated with the same importance as other business products and services, thereby driving strategic business decisions and ensuring compliance and security across domains.