Book of the Month: Igniting the Data Dance

Overview

For April we’re digging into Dr. Joe Perez’s latest book, “Igniting the Data Dance.” Dr. Perez is a very energetic speaker and that carries through to how he has written this book, a well-structured guide to implementing, running, improving, leveraging, and ultimately sustaining a data governance function at an organization. 

A large number of books we’ve reviewed in this space have taken special efforts to become valued workbook-style resources for the reader. This book is no exception to that, and Dr. Perez has found a way to leverage his engaging style into meaningful exercises and key learnings for each of the 10 chapters. Each chapter starts with a “Chapter Goals / Learning Objectives” section, and then ends with “Wrap Up,” “Study Questions,” and a list of references that Perez has found inspiring. Also, the epilogue of the book ends with a bit of a twist that keen readers may have noticed while reading the book (which we will not spoil here), which further adds to its natural engagement level and speaks to Perez’s ability to be a wonderful and engaging educator. 

Each chapter of the book “sets the stage,” describing key tools and techniques, then provides the reader with discreet tasks and examples. This enables the reader to directly apply the teachings that the book provides, making it accessible for organizations and readers at any level of data governance maturity. Ultimately, if you’re a data governance practitioner, researcher, or you’re leading a data governance initiative at your organization, this book is a must-have. 

Of particular interest, the chapter on “Vision” speaks to building high-performing teams. This echoes, but is a fresh take on, Patrick Lencioni’s writings on leadership, specifically The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. While “Igniting the Data Dance” does not present this in a fable, it does provide the reader with direct guidance on how, and the importance of building and maintaining a high-performing team in a very positive way, which is consistent with Perez’s writing style and enthusiasm for data governance. 

Also of note, Perez does not shy away from technical concepts and how they are important to the reader in their quest to orchestrate data governance. In the chapter on “Nimbleness,” Perez discusses details around security and privacy and teaches the reader things like RBAC (Role-Based Access Controls), and MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication), then further explains why concepts like these are critical to the success of a data governance initiative.  Perez further attaches these to specific regulations that impact how organizations engage in data management as a whole, and provides some teachings on how to maintain compliance in an effective and efficient manner. 

To conclude, this is a must-own book for anyone starting, sustaining, or improving a data governance initiative. It’s also highly recommended for anyone learning about data governance and how it interacts with different stakeholders in an organization. It’s an energetic, thoughtful, and educational read that breaks down data governance concepts and activities into meaningful pieces. Overall, an excellent book. 

About Dr. Joe Perez

Dr. Joe Perez is a powerhouse in the IT and education worlds, with 40-plus years’ experience and a wealth of credentials to his name. From Business Intelligence Specialist at NC State University to Senior Systems Specialist/Team Leader at the NC Department of Health & Human Services (and Chief Technology Officer at CogniMind), Perez is at the forefront of innovation and process improvement. With more than 21,000 LinkedIn followers and a worldwide reputation as keynote speaker, data management/analytics expert, and prolific bestselling author with multiple #1 new releases, Perez is a highly sought-after resource in his field. He speaks at many conferences each year, reaching audiences in over 20 countries across the globe and has been highly-ranked by prestigious Thought Leader communities. He was recently inducted into the United Nations Global Network of Data Officers and Statisticians and was selected to be a Distinguished Fellow in the Public Sector Network’s Future Government Institute. When Dr. Joe is not working, he shares his musical talents and gives back to his community through his involvement in his church’s Spanish and military ministries.