Data Decoded: Demystifying Data Architecture!

I'm Richard Dickinson, and after spending my entire career working with data, one question I’m asked more than any other is:

“How do I become a Data Architect?”

My journey started almost three decades ago—long before Big Data, NoSQL, and AI made data a “fashionable” discipline. Technologies have changed dramatically, but the fundamentals of data architecture—modelling, lineage, governance, and clear definitions—have remained the foundation of everything. Today, those fundamentals are more important than ever as AI and context engineering reshape how organisations use data.

I built my expertise the long way: through hands-on delivery roles, often juggling development and architecture at the same time, and learning from some truly exceptional data professionals who shaped my understanding early on.

This site is my way of giving back. It’s a place to share what I’ve learned, to demystify data architecture, and to help others grow their careers with practical, grounded knowledge.

I hope you find the articles useful and that they contribute meaningfully to your own data journey.