A self-serve data platform

A self-serve data platform is one where its users can autonomously create, manage and consume data.

By autonomy, I mean the users of the platform can use the platform without requiring central approval, creating tickets for another team, or any other friction that slows them down.

We can give them that autonomy because the platform is easy to use, well documented, and meets their requirements.

While also providing the governance and guardrails needed so the users are compliant with our organisations policies.

Both of those are needed to provide a self-service data platform. It’s the implementation of policies that allows you to provide users the autonomy they need and remove the need for human review.