S1E1 - Data engineering and Not on the High Street with Jessica Franks

Jessica Franks shares her experience of joining Not on the High Street as an engineering manager for the data team. She discusses the challenges of starting a new role in a new country and managing a team with diverse skill sets. Jessica explains how she tackled the lack of data strategy and created a visual representation of the data architecture using a Wardley map. She emphasizes the importance of simplifying infrastructure and improving data quality before diving into AI and ML projects. Jessica also highlights the need for clear communication and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure successful data initiatives.

Takeaways

• Starting a new role in a new country can be overwhelming, but with the right experience and skills, it can be managed effectively.
• Creating a visual representation of the data architecture, such as a Wardley map, can help communicate the complexity and prioritize projects.
• Simplifying infrastructure and improving data quality are crucial before diving into AI and ML projects.
• Clear communication and collaboration with stakeholders are essential for successful data initiatives.

Titles

• Navigating a New Role in a New Country
• Prioritizing Infrastructure and Data Quality

Sound Bites

• "Everything new sounds like you set out on an adventure and you got what you asked for. Was it scary though? Was that like, oh my god, what am I going to do?"
• "Having a picture that everyone agrees this is what it is. You know, there's all too often like 10 little things in the corner that nobody really understands that that's crucial to the way things operate."
• "Using a Wardley map was new to me and I instantly loved it. The way it laid it out, the way it communicated to everyone what was visible and important, but then not visible and important was sort of also, you know, that I think as a person running an engineering team is often really hard to explain that this crucial piece that no one can see, we need to do something about."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Setting the Scene

02:13
Navigating a New Role and Team

11:06
Visualizing Data Architecture with Wardley Maps

19:53
Prioritizing Infrastructure and Data Quality

28:11
Challenges of AI and ML in Data Initiatives

32:05
Conclusion and Key Takeaways