🚀 Transforming Data Strategy into Actionable Frameworks
Welcome to The Practical Architect—where data governance meets real-world strategy.
Created by Gary Cronin, a seasoned data leader with 25+ years of experience spanning finance, telecoms, healthcare, and public sector, The Practical Architect is your go-to resource for moving beyond understanding data to actively driving business transformation and delivering measurable impact.
🔍 About Gary
Gary’s journey began with early coding adventures on a Spectrum 48k and an IBM “Large” laptop—tools that sparked his passion for problem-solving. A mentor once said, “He could code his way out of hell,” a reputation that set the stage for a lifelong focus on data’s power to solve real-world problems.
💼 Over the years, Gary has:
Held senior roles like Director, Enterprise Data Architect, and Chief Data Officer.
Led global data initiatives, helping organizations treat data as a strategic asset.
Delivered data-focused courses, guiding professionals on data management and digital transformation best practices.
Shared insights as a frequent speaker, making complex data topics accessible to all.
🔗 What’s at the Heart of The Practical Architect?
Gary combines technical expertise with a passion for education, creating actionable frameworks that simplify the path to data-driven success. Whether you’re a seasoned data leader or just starting out, his insights are designed to help you harness data’s full potential.
🌟 What We Cover
The Practical Architect provides actionable frameworks and insights to help organizations master modern data strategies.
📖 Global Standards & Compliance Frameworks
Practical guides on ISO, GDPR, the AI Act, and other frameworks to stay ahead of regulatory demands.
🔧 Proprietary & Hybrid Frameworks
Unique insights into frameworks blending global standards with scalable governance models.
📚 Real-World Case Studies & Applications
Anonymized examples of data strategy and governance frameworks in action.
🏢 Data Governance & Operational Excellence
Strategies to transform data into a scalable, trusted asset that fuels business innovation.
🔑 Who This Is For
This publication is crafted for:
📊 Data Professionals: Engineers, architects, and analysts building structured data solutions.
🏢 Business Leaders: Executives aligning data strategies with organizational goals.
📋 Compliance & Governance Officers: Professionals ensuring regulatory alignment.
🌍 Why Now?
Data Quality is set to take center stage in 2024 as AI adoption soars, magnifying the impact of trustworthy data. Technology alone isn’t enough—data drives technology forward, not the other way around. This principle is at the core of every framework, strategy, and insight shared here.
📖 Why The Practical Architect?
Unlike other resources, we focus on framework-first thinking:
✅ Blueprints & Playbooks you can apply immediately.
✅ Case-based examples showing real-world impact.
✅ Technically accurate, globally aligned guidance.
Gary’s blend of technical know-how and strategic insight ensures every post is practical, relevant, and actionable.
🛠️ What is a Framework?
Think of it as a recipe for success in managing data. Like a recipe offers steps, ingredients, and techniques for a dish, a framework guides an organization with:
✔️ Steps: (e.g., ensuring data quality or privacy).
✔️ Roles: (e.g., data stewards or owners).
✔️ Tools: (e.g., databases, compliance systems).
✔️ Metrics: (e.g., measuring data accuracy or trust).
With a framework, everyone knows their role, practices remain consistent, and data becomes a strategic advantage.
📬 What You Get as a Subscriber
👤 Free Subscribers
Weekly Insights: Beginner-friendly content on data governance and compliance.
Essential Framework Overviews: Build a strong foundation with key frameworks.
🔒 Paid Subscribers
Deep Dives & Case Studies: Advanced guidance, detailed examples, and templates.
Exclusive Tools & Templates: Downloadable resources to accelerate your projects.
Community Engagement: Interact with Gary and a professional network for Q&As.
✨ Join Us Today
The Practical Architect is more than a newsletter—it’s a community and resource for creating resilient, scalable, and compliant data strategies.
🚀 Subscribe today to transform your organization’s data into a strategic asset that drives measurable success.
