Advisory: The Philosophical Edge

Most data engineering projects start with a technical question: “Which tool?”, “Which architecture?”, “How fast?”

But my philosophy background has taught me to ask different questions first: Why this data? For whom? Which decision does this enable? What if we don’t do it?

These questions can save millions—or reveal that you need something entirely different.

A Two-Speed Approach

I deliver AI-enhanced A-to-Z BI transformations as an engineer. But as an advisor, I am your strategic sparring partner. This is the “deep end” for leaders who want more than just execution.

“In 15 years, I have saved more projects by stopping them than by building them.”

The Three Common Pitfalls

As your strategic advisor, I help you avoid the traps that drain budgets and morale:

1. Hype-driven Development: Just because “everyone does real-time” doesn’t mean you need real-time. We focus on your specific business velocity.
2. Tool-first Thinking: Building a “data lake” without a clear purpose is just creating a digital swamp. We start with the outcome.
3. Dashboard Graveyards: I prevent the creation of reports that no one uses but everyone pays to maintain.

How Advisory Works

I combine two disparate domains:

• Technical Expertise: I know exactly what is possible, what it costs, and what it delivers.
• Philosophical Method: I help you formulate the right questions before we build answers.

This means uncomfortable conversations. Sometimes the conclusion is that you need something different than you thought. Always honesty over billable hours.

When Advisory Makes Sense

Advisory is valuable if:

• You are considering major data investments (€100k+) and want certainty upfront.
• You have multiple failed projects behind you and want to understand why.
• Your team and stakeholders disagree on the data direction.
• You suspect you have tools but no strategy.
• You want a second opinion without a vendor agenda.

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Download the eBook: Philosophers in Data

Concise overview of the philosophical frameworks I use to ask better questions before building.

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