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Data: Principles To Practice - Volume 1 'Foundations': Essential Foundations: Key Concepts behind Data Architecture, Engineering and Analysis for Professionals
Unlock the Power of Data with " Principles to Practice – Volume 1: Foundations"
In today’s data-driven world, understanding the fundamentals of data isn’t just for tech experts—it’s essential for professionals across every industry. " Principles to Practice – Volume 1: Foundations" provides a clear and comprehensive guide to help you grasp the key concepts, systems, and techniques shaping modern data practices.
Whether you're new to data or want to enhance your understanding, this book offers everything you need to build a solid foundation in data management, IT systems, and data architecture.
What You’ll
Essential IT Systems & Data Discover how core systems like CRM, ERP, and HRMS generate and manage data, and learn how to design effective data architectures that drive decision-making.Master the Basics of Data Get a complete overview of data structures, types, and formats—including structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data—and how they influence storage, processing, and business insights.Advanced Data Management Techniques: Learn how to manage data throughout its lifecycle, ensuring quality, compliance, and strategic alignment using methods like ETL, APIs, and middleware.Practical Insights through Case Studies: Explore practical examples that demonstrate how data concepts are applied to solve real business problems.
Who Should Read This Book?Aspiring and Current Data Build foundational knowledge and sharpen your skills to support data-driven strategies in your organization.Professionals in Non-Technical Enhance your ability to understand and work with data in roles like marketing, administration, and IT.Technology Enthusiasts and Career Thinking about a career shift into data? This book offers an approachable entry point to key data concepts.
Data Isn’t Just for Tech Experts—It’s for Everyone
This book breaks down complex data concepts into easy-to-understand lessons, empowering professionals from all fields to harness the power of data in their work. No technical background required—just a desire to learn.
Click "Add to Cart" now and start your journey to data mastery today
In today’s data-driven world, understanding the fundamentals of data isn’t just for tech experts—it’s essential for professionals across every industry. " Principles to Practice – Volume 1: Foundations" provides a clear and comprehensive guide to help you grasp the key concepts, systems, and techniques shaping modern data practices.
Whether you're new to data or want to enhance your understanding, this book offers everything you need to build a solid foundation in data management, IT systems, and data architecture.
What You’ll
Essential IT Systems & Data Discover how core systems like CRM, ERP, and HRMS generate and manage data, and learn how to design effective data architectures that drive decision-making.Master the Basics of Data Get a complete overview of data structures, types, and formats—including structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data—and how they influence storage, processing, and business insights.Advanced Data Management Techniques: Learn how to manage data throughout its lifecycle, ensuring quality, compliance, and strategic alignment using methods like ETL, APIs, and middleware.Practical Insights through Case Studies: Explore practical examples that demonstrate how data concepts are applied to solve real business problems.
Who Should Read This Book?Aspiring and Current Data Build foundational knowledge and sharpen your skills to support data-driven strategies in your organization.Professionals in Non-Technical Enhance your ability to understand and work with data in roles like marketing, administration, and IT.Technology Enthusiasts and Career Thinking about a career shift into data? This book offers an approachable entry point to key data concepts.
Data Isn’t Just for Tech Experts—It’s for Everyone
This book breaks down complex data concepts into easy-to-understand lessons, empowering professionals from all fields to harness the power of data in their work. No technical background required—just a desire to learn.
Click "Add to Cart" now and start your journey to data mastery today
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2024
18 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Alex Holloway
9 books12 followersAn author with a passion for data: how best to curate, define and store it, and how to use it for organizational success
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 24, 2025
This is the second book by Alex Holloway that I have had the pleasure of reading. The first one, Data Analysis in Microsoft Excel, provided a practical approach to performing data analysis tasks using a ubiquitous tool. This newer book provides some bigger-picture context and guidance for tackling sometimes difficult issues in data management and the relevant technology systems.
Holloway begins by introducing the reader to a fictional company, TechGear Solutions, which is used as a case study throughout the remainder of the reading. Each concept covered is fortified by its applicability to this company; this takes the concepts beyond the abstract and injects some practical realism. I found this to really drive the points home and illustrate the potential impacts of these concepts on real-life organizations.
Concepts covered include different types of data one can encounter, how those types of data are structured, methods of storage and access, and even the actual technological systems enabling all of this work. The author goes through different systems like CRM, ERP, HRMS, and more. There is a robust glossary at the end, as well as informative footnotes along the way. After describing the intricacies of these systems, there is a crucial discussion on data management. As someone who does data work, this often gets done improperly or overlooked altogether. There is one important fact I have learned in my professional life: when you put garbage in, you get garbage out. Poor source data will result in poor analysis and flawed insights. While there will always be a need for some data cleaning and engineering, organizations can better set themselves up for success by taking data management seriously. The book discusses this in detail, which I greatly appreciate.
Another thing I like about this book is that it can be used in two ways. When reading from cover to cover, it has a logical flow that starts with more general/simple ideas and scaffolds up to more complex/difficult concepts; the consistent references back to the case study of TechGear Solutions help to keep the narrative flowing in a way that makes sense to the reader. If the reader would prefer to dive right into something specific, the book has clearly delineated sections that can be referred to directly. While many of the concepts are interrelated (as they are in reality), this does not detract from someone simply trying to fill certain gaps in knowledge.
As a data professional relatively early in my career, this book was right in line with my already-lived experiences and the things I wanted more education on. Even someone brand-new to data can get something useful out of this book. I also think there are plenty of important pieces that more seasoned folks should review, especially those who may be data literate but don't have daily interaction with the technical side. I can think of many decision-makers in my past professional settings whose organizations would have benefitted from this book.
Holloway begins by introducing the reader to a fictional company, TechGear Solutions, which is used as a case study throughout the remainder of the reading. Each concept covered is fortified by its applicability to this company; this takes the concepts beyond the abstract and injects some practical realism. I found this to really drive the points home and illustrate the potential impacts of these concepts on real-life organizations.
Concepts covered include different types of data one can encounter, how those types of data are structured, methods of storage and access, and even the actual technological systems enabling all of this work. The author goes through different systems like CRM, ERP, HRMS, and more. There is a robust glossary at the end, as well as informative footnotes along the way. After describing the intricacies of these systems, there is a crucial discussion on data management. As someone who does data work, this often gets done improperly or overlooked altogether. There is one important fact I have learned in my professional life: when you put garbage in, you get garbage out. Poor source data will result in poor analysis and flawed insights. While there will always be a need for some data cleaning and engineering, organizations can better set themselves up for success by taking data management seriously. The book discusses this in detail, which I greatly appreciate.
Another thing I like about this book is that it can be used in two ways. When reading from cover to cover, it has a logical flow that starts with more general/simple ideas and scaffolds up to more complex/difficult concepts; the consistent references back to the case study of TechGear Solutions help to keep the narrative flowing in a way that makes sense to the reader. If the reader would prefer to dive right into something specific, the book has clearly delineated sections that can be referred to directly. While many of the concepts are interrelated (as they are in reality), this does not detract from someone simply trying to fill certain gaps in knowledge.
As a data professional relatively early in my career, this book was right in line with my already-lived experiences and the things I wanted more education on. Even someone brand-new to data can get something useful out of this book. I also think there are plenty of important pieces that more seasoned folks should review, especially those who may be data literate but don't have daily interaction with the technical side. I can think of many decision-makers in my past professional settings whose organizations would have benefitted from this book.
July 10, 2024
Essential guide for data professionals and enthusiasts
This book is a must read for anyone looking to understand and leverage data. The author breaks down complex data concepts, making them accessible and practical. The book covers everything from IT systems and data architecture to advanced data management techniques, all illustrated through detailed case studies.
This book is a must read for anyone looking to understand and leverage data. The author breaks down complex data concepts, making them accessible and practical. The book covers everything from IT systems and data architecture to advanced data management techniques, all illustrated through detailed case studies.
August 14, 2024
Practical Guide for Sharpening Your Data Skills
As an engineer already familiar with data, I found this book to be a straightforward and practical refresher. It cuts through the jargon and focuses on the core concepts that are crucial for handling data effectively. The real-world examples are particularly helpful, offering clear ways to apply the information in my work.
As an engineer already familiar with data, I found this book to be a straightforward and practical refresher. It cuts through the jargon and focuses on the core concepts that are crucial for handling data effectively. The real-world examples are particularly helpful, offering clear ways to apply the information in my work.
July 7, 2024
A great place to start
This is a surprisingly in-depth beginner guide to understanding data. In this day and age understanding data is so important for a lot of different applications. I love the way this book breaks it down for even the most novice beginner.
This is a surprisingly in-depth beginner guide to understanding data. In this day and age understanding data is so important for a lot of different applications. I love the way this book breaks it down for even the most novice beginner.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews