Balvinder Kaur Khurana

Balvinder Kaur Khurana

Data Strategist, Solutions Architect
ThoughtWorks

Balvinder is a Data Strategist and Solutions architect with 18 years of experience developing custom software and big data platforms for complex client problems using Agile practices. Balvinder's expertise includes complex systems architectures, business vision alignment with tech and data, data strategy, and data architecture. She has worked in multiple domains - manufacturing, retail, BFSI, SaaS app management, and on various tech stacks. Balvinder is also a Data community lead for Thoughtworks and an experienced conference speaker.

Session Title

Tailoring Datamesh Principles for Organizational Success and GenAI Readiness


Session Overview

Introduced by ThoughtWorks in 2019, Data Mesh Promised to revolutionize traditional data platforms, garnering significant industry hype. However, the initial enthusiasm waned as the approach faced criticism for not delivering the anticipated results. While the pain is real, data mesh as a paradigm is not at a fault. But the idea that mesh is an atomic concept and needs to be adopted in its entirety with all the four principles together needs to be reevaluated. This talk aims to reevaluate the adoption strategy of Data Mesh. We propose deconstructing the concept and examining each principle individually to determine which aspects are most suitable for a given organization's current state and needs. This flexible approach allows for tailored implementations that align with specific organizational maturity levels. As Generative AI (GenAI) gains momentum for its potential to drive business acceleration, it is crucial to understand how Data Mesh principles can facilitate its adoption. When implemented correctly, these principles can lay a robust foundation for integrating GenAI technologies effectively Our presentation will share insights from two case studies. The first showcases a model implementation of Data Mesh. The second case study illustrates a more curated approach, where principles were adapted to fit the organization’s maturity, ultimately speeding up their data journey and delivering tangible benefits. By discussing these examples, we aim to demonstrate how a nuanced, principle-based adoption of Data Mesh can overcome initial challenges, paving the way for enhanced data management and readiness for GenAI advancements.