Data Entropy

The Second Law of Data Dynamics

Shit happens

In Enlightenment Now, Steven Pinker reminds us of a fundamental truth of the universe: Entropy. If you do nothing, things get worse. Gardens grow weeds, buildings crumble, and as Pinker bluntly puts it, “Shit happens”.

In the corporate world, we have our own version: The Second Law of Data Dynamics.

Left to its own devices, data doesn’t stay organized. It doesn’t remain “clean.” It naturally drifts toward chaos. Silos emerge like weeds, definitions decay, and the “truth” becomes a matter of which department you ask. 

The “New Shiny Object” Trap

The greatest ally of Data Entropy isn’t a lack of technology; it’s our obsession with the next thing.

Companies are in a state of perpetual “New Thing” fever. We want Generative AI, we want Real-Time Streaming, we want the “Modern Data Stack”. But in the rush to jump to the new, we ignore what has already been built. We leave the foundations to rot.

We treat Data Strategy like an interior design project—buying new furniture for a house with a cracked foundation.

Energy vs. Disorder

If entropy is the measure of disorder, then Leadership is the energy required to reverse it. 

I’ve seen that the most expensive mistake a company can make is failing to respect the “legacy.” We spend millions on the new flashy thingy, yet we haven’t mastered the basic data migrations that actually power the business. 

The role of a true Data Leader isn’t just to buy the “new”. It is to apply the constant, disciplined energy required to keep the existing ecosystem from falling apart. Because the moment you stop paying attention to the foundations, the Second Law takes over.

And as we know: SHIT HAPPENS.

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From the blog

About the author

Sergio Rozalen is Head of Analytics & Data Transformation, Data & AI Strategic Advisor and Science-Fiction Author.

“I believe that the most complex challenges in data aren’t technical—they are human.

With over 20 years of experience leading data transformations for global icons like Jaguar Land Rover and Dyson, I have learned that sustainable success requires more than just a tech stack. It requires a bridge between corporate strategy, ethical foresight, and operational excellence.
What I do:

• Scale Intelligence: I grew the data function at Dyson from a 5-person UK team to a global specialist unit of 20+ across the US and Singapore. At JLR, I direct a global team of 50+ delivering critical products for Commercial and Supply Chain functions.

•Architect Ecosystems: I design federated analytics frameworks that empower decentralized business units while maintaining enterprise-level governance.

• Navigate Complexity: I have a proven track record of leading multi-country migrations for core systems like SAP, CRM, and PLM across EMEA, APAC, and the Americas.

• Coaching-Led Change: As an ICF-certified coach, I don’t just deliver platforms; I mentor talent and build leadership capability to ensure transformations are culturally adopted and sustainable.

• Synthesize Future Trends: Beyond the data, I am deeply invested in the intersection of technology and society. As the author of the speculative fiction series “Futuros Imperfectos” and the blog Irreflexiones, I explore the “Black Mirror” consequences of technological progress. I bring this “sociological mindset” to my work, ensuring that AI implementation and data strategies remain human-centric, ethical, and grounded in real-world social impact.

My Current Focus: I am passionate about mentoring the next generation of data talent and advising organizations on how to build data cultures that are both high-performing and ethically sound. Whether through strategic roadmaps or executive coaching, my goal is to turn data complexity into actionable value“.