We are now in the age of Big Data, with businesses using facts and figures collected through data analysis to help make strategic business decisions, as well as to gain an edge over their competitors.
Fast becoming a major asset used across all departments of an organisation, not only IT and Security, the algorithmic approach and predictive analysis techniques associated with Big Data are successfully fueling a new era for business.
To harness the power of Big Data in a business scenario, having a team of skilled professionals at your disposal is a definite advantage. Below is a list of essential members of your Big Data team.
The Scientist
A Data Scientist with extensive industry knowledge is like gold dust. Highly skilled in their trade, they can handle and process raw data as well as implement specialised statistical techniques to interpret and uncover unique patterns.
Showcasing confidence using Big Data-specific programming languages such as Python, R. and SQL, a Data Scientist will also have a strong statistical and machine learning background; this will enable them to support conclusions they draw from analysed data.
The Architect
When data is collected, it’s often unstructured and in need of a practised hand to transform it into something readable. Hiring a Data Architect enables a business to bypass this stumbling block, as they will process the data into manageable data sets.
Normally tasked with the creation of data management system blueprints ” the place where data sources will be stored and maintained ” Data Architects have a strong base knowledge of database architecture and are highly skilled in frameworks such as Hive, Spark and Pig.
The Statistician
Often the overshadowed member of the Big Data team, the Statistician is the cog that keeps your well-oiled team running. Demonstrating a strong background in statistical theories and methodologies, a Statistician will collect, analyse and interpret data using logical and mathematical formulae.
Confident using languages such as Perl and Stata, a Statistician is the member of your team who is constantly looking to improve their knowledge of new technologies associated with data machine and machine learning, with the ultimate aim to help improve business performance.
The Hygienist
The analysis of large datasets is a painstaking task that’s only made more time consuming if the data collected isn’t accurate. It’s the role a Data Hygienist to assist with this process, as their role on a Big Data team is to clean up the data and make it useful.
Data Hygienists refine data by hand, ensuring it’s accurate and suitable for use throughout its entire lifecycle. They’re also tasked with making sure there are no conflicts found in old and new datasets throughout analytical procedures.
The Engineer
The member of your team that does it all, Big Data Engineers generally come from a software engineering background and move into the sector due to a passion for database analysis and system processing. One of the key roles within your squad, Engineers develop, construct, test, and maintain the architecture of a system to keep it running smoothly under heavy workloads.
The Visualiser
Big Data is all about numbers, but what if the data collected cannot be understood by wider members of the business? A Visualiser is the creative thinker and the member of the team who abstracts key information from raw data and interprets it into something more understandable through the use of graphs or pictures.
It’s important to note, however, that all Visualisers should have a background knowledge of frameworks and agile development, to ensure the data is interpreted correctly.
The Modeler
Organising data to allow easier access will increase the productivity of your entire Big Data team, and the incorporation of a Data Modeler will be beneficial to this process. Modelers work alongside Data Architects to implement design protocols and identify the requirements needed to help a system through its development.
The Analyst
The linchpin between the Big Data team and the stakeholders of a business, it’s the role of an Analyst to make the team aware of objectives outlined by a business. With an extensive knowledge of a business and the industry in which it operates, it’s the role of an Analyst to ensure processes are cost-effective, industry trends are clearly identified, and end-user requirements are met.
So there you have it ” if you’re looking to introduce a Big Data dream team into your business, it’s recommended that you recruit these individuals as the backbone of your squad.
