By Viken Eldemir, CEO
There is a common misconception in the data analytics space: that insights can only come from SQL queries written by data analysts. While data teams are the cornerstone for any data-driven organization, a crucial opportunity is being missed by not enabling business users to ask exploratory questions of the data they work with.
Beyond the SQL Bottleneck
Traditional data workflows often follow a slow, rigid process: A business user has a question, submits a request to the analytics team, waits for a SQL query to be written, and eventually receives a report. This can take days or even weeks—by which time the original question may have evolved or the opportunity for action might have passed.
What’s more interesting, and perhaps controversial, is that these data outputs aren’t always as accurate as we assume. Hidden assumptions, misunderstood business context, or simple human error can creep into query writing. I’ve seen countless cases where a business user’s intimate knowledge of their domain helped catch discrepancies that weren’t obvious to the technical team.
The Power of Exploratory Analysis
When business users can directly engage with the data they have access to, they unlock a different kind of value: the ability to explore hypotheses, identify patterns, and iterate on their questions in real time. It’s the difference between following a tour guide and wandering through a new city on your own. Both approaches have their place, but exploration can often lead to unexpected discoveries.
Consider a sales manager who spots an unusual trend in regional data. Under traditional workflows, they might hesitate to request multiple SQL reports just to investigate a hunch. But with self-service data exploration tools, they can quickly test their hypothesis, determine if there’s something worth deeper analysis, and then engage the analytics team with a more refined question.
From Insights to Action
This approach doesn’t replace traditional analytics workflows, it complements them. When business users can freely explore their data, they often:
1. Develop sharper, more targeted questions for the analytics team
2. Identify valuable patterns that wouldn’t have been visible in standard reports
3. Make faster, more informed decisions for day-to-day operation
The Future is Collaborative
The most powerful data-driven organizations aren’t those that simply have the best analysts or the most sophisticated SQL queries. They’re the ones that successfully bridge the gap between technical and business users, creating an environment where initial data exploration can quickly transition into deeper analysis.
At DataChat, we’re committed to this vision of collaborative data exploration. We believe that empowering business users with direct access to their data, while maintaining the ability to engage technical teams for deeper analysis, creates a more agile and innovative organization.
Moving Forward
As organizations continue to evolve in an increasingly data-driven world, the ability to ask questions of data, with a SQL query or in plain English will become even more critical. Those who embrace this dual approach will be better positioned to identify opportunities, respond to challenges, and drive innovation.
The future of data analytics isn’t about choosing between business user exploration and technical analysis—it’s about finally being able to deliver on true self service. When business users can ask questions of the data they already have access to, insights become more than just reports, they become a driving force for action.