Event-Storming for Data

Data has long been a critical strategic asset for businesses. However, the growing complexity of information systems and business processes often makes collaboration between business and technical teams challenging. Event Storming, a collaborative and visual method derived from Domain-Driven Design, proves particularly useful for designing a data model that aligns with both business needs and analytical requirements.

The Event Storming workshop is structured to foster a shared understanding of the system. It begins with the collection of key business events, where each participant contributes by placing sticky notes on a wall to represent these events chronologically. This phase is followed by identifying actors, commands, and aggregates, helping to build an overview of the domain. This interactive approach enhances communication and highlights areas of complexity or uncertainty.

Although rarely used in data analysis, it helps map business events to identify the necessary data for analysis and decision-making. This process provides several specific benefits for data modeling:

• Identification of data needs through a deeper understanding of business flows.
• Alignment of stakeholders using a common language, which is crucial for complex projects.
• Detection of anomalies in existing processes, enabling operational optimization.

However, this method may be less suitable for simpler environments, where an approach like Design Thinking might be more appropriate. It also requires careful preparation and an experienced facilitator to maximize its effectiveness.

Theodo’s point of view

We recommend Event Storming for effectively modeling complex data systems and enhancing collaboration between business and technical teams. As an alternative, for more detailed process modeling, we suggest using BPMN, which provides a more precise representation of workflows.