DEMYSTIFYING BIG DATA March 7, 2014

Peter Aiken Information Systems and Institute for Data Research, Virginia Commonwealth University

Abstract

Yes, we face a data deluge and big data seems to be largely about how to deal with it. But 99% of what has been written about big data is focused on selling hardware and services. The truth is that until the concept of big data can be objectively defined, any measurements, claims of success, quantifications, etc. must be viewed skeptically and with suspicion. While both the need for and approaches to these new requirements are faced by virtually every organization, jumping into the fray ill-prepared has (to date) reproduced the same dismal IT project results. Learning Objectives include: • The very real, very rapid, very great increases in data of all forms • Challenges faced by virtually all data management programs • Means by which big data techniques can complement existing data management practices • Necessary but insufficient pre-requisites to exploiting big data techniques • Prototyping nature of practicing big data techniques.

About the Speaker Dr. Aiken is the author and co-author of seven books on information technology, as well as multiple publications in Communications of the ACM, IEEE Computer/Software, the IBM Systems Journal and numerous others. He is the recipient of multiple international awards, including the 2010 International Stevens Award and the 2001 DAMA International Achievement Award (with Ted Codd). From 1985-1993, he participated in research and development projects at George Mason University (GMU), including a role as Director of the GMU Hypermedia Technologies Laboratory. In 1992, he was recruited by the Department of Defense (DoD), where he participated in the development of a DoD-wide strategic level data model and data architecture for the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)’s Chief Information Officer. In 1992, he became an Associate Professor of Information Systems in the School of Business at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), which, under his leadership, spun off a company called "Data Blueprint" in 1999 that has received international recognition and reputation for expertise in the areas of data reverse engineering, business and systems reengineering, systems integration, strategic planning, information engineering, software requirements engineering, and decision support systems. He has been a member of the ACM since 1987.

Reception in Dunn Hall 336 - 1:30pm