Your Data Team Is Not a Vending Machine
- Dave Findlay
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
A lot of companies still treat their data team like a vending machine.
You submit a request -> “Dashboard on Q2 Sales by Region”
....and wait for something to come out.
Sometimes it’s quick. Sometimes it’s not. Sometimes it’s useful.
But the assumption is the same: request in, answers out.
✅ Structured
✅ Trackable
✅ “Efficient”
But here’s the thing: This model stifles trust, limits learning, and turns data work into an order-taking exercise.
Because most data requests?
They’re signals. Not specifications.
They’re hints that something’s unclear. Something needs to be understood. Something’s not working as expected.
If you treat them like finished requirements, you miss the opportunity to dig deeper.
Why This Matters
Great data work doesn’t happen in a ticket queue.
It happens through conversation. It happens by partnering with the business to explore what the real need is.
Request: “Can we get a report on top-performing stores?”
Reality: The region manager is trying to figure out why one area’s sales have stalled — and whether it’s team structure, inventory, or customer mix.
A ticket would have delivered a chart.
A conversation leads to insight.
Why the Vending Machine Model Persists
So why does this still happen?
• It creates structure.
• It protects the data team’s time.
• It feels efficient.
And sometimes, it’s genuinely helpful for well-defined requests.
But when it’s the default, it disconnects your team from the business and limits the impact of the work.
You don’t need order takers.
You need strategic partners.
What to Do Instead
Shift your data team from service model to product model.
That means:
• Inviting business users into the early stages of the work
• Co-creating the solution, not just building what was asked for
• Measuring success by usefulness, not delivery
• Keeping feedback loops open from start to finish
The business doesn’t just need data.
They need clarity, confidence, and context.
That doesn’t come from a vending machine.
It comes from working together.
At Fuse, we believe a great data strategy only matters if it leads to action.
If you’re ready to move from planning to execution — and build solutions your team will actually use — let’s talk.
