Why Data Teams Need Software Engineering Discipline

Why Data Teams Need Software Engineering Discipline

From The Tech Trek by Elevano

April 27, 2026 · 28 min · Episode 659

About this episode

Kenneth Schwartz discusses the importance of applying software engineering discipline to data teams and the impact of AI on data governance and product development.

Kenneth Schwartz, VP of Global Data and Governance at Genmab, joins The Tech Trek to talk about what happens when data teams start applying software engineering discipline to modern data work. As AI raises expectations across the business, the challenge is no longer just building more dashboards or models. It is building data products, governance systems, and engineering cultures that can move from experiment to production in a repeatable way. In this episode, Kenneth shares how data teams can reduce sprawl, create stronger stakeholder alignment, shift governance earlier in the process, and use AI agents to accelerate the data roadmap without simply creating more noise. Key Takeaways • Data sprawl often starts with good intentions. Teams want to move fast, but without alignment they can end up solving the same problem in multiple ways. • Software engineering practices are becoming essential in data. Stable interfaces, data contracts, testing, modular design, and clear ownership help data teams scale with fewer downstream breaks. • Governance works better when it is built into the process early. Kenneth explains why governance should not be treated as a cleanup project after the…

People in this episode

Guest: Kenneth Schwartz

Topics covered

  • data teams
  • software engineering
  • AI in data
  • data governance
  • data products
  • stakeholder alignment

Keywords

  • data sprawl
  • software engineering practices
  • governance
  • automation
  • analytics
  • data roadmap

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Genmab

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