Explicit Measures Podcast 498: MAILBAG! Define the Problem Before Tools?
Jan 29, 2026
Hosts warn against buying tools before defining the decision you want to improve. They debate how AI and Fabric change work, discovery, and metadata needs. Practical ideas include AI-assisted data discovery, reusable model views, and breaking problems into tasks agents can run. Discussion also covers governance, privacy, and where personalization fits in modern analytics.
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Define Problems Before Buying Tools
- Tools alone don't solve problems; define the problem before adopting Copilot or Fabric features.
- Without a clear decision or improvement goal, organizations adopt tooling that may not deliver value.
Give Each Report A Short Purpose
- Add clear purpose and short guidance to every report so users know what questions it answers.
- Use concise reference pages with two to three questions to improve report clarity and adoption.
OneLake Should Be The Data Discovery Hub
- OneLake catalog improves data discovery and should surface summaries, descriptions, and governance metadata.
- Improving model documentation in the catalog reduces friction for analysts and consumers.