Q&A with Jeff Voivoda, a Non-fiction Writer in Loudoun

Loudoun Writers this week focuses on Jeff Voivoda, a Certified Enterprise Data Architect who’s book helps people better understand data analysis and harmonization.

When did you first begin to write and what motivated you to do so?
A colleague had asked me to assist him in rewriting portions of his book. He had published a book on systems analysis a few years back and his publisher contacted him to update the book and release a second edition. He and I collaborated on several chapters that dealt with data analysis. After we completed the work on his book, he suggested I write a full-length book on the topic of data analysis. I mulled it over for a while. Finally, I decided to dive in and I began putting together the outline of the book in late 2009. I started serious composition around January of 2010.

Describe the type of books you publish and why?
The book covers the topic of data analysis and harmonization. Many of the books and white papers I’ve read on the subject rely heavily on algorithms and methodologies that are difficult to understand for someone outside the data disciplines. I wanted to ‘demystify’ the process of identifying, gathering, recording and managing the data requirements for a systems development effort.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
In high school and college, I took many courses dealing with business and technical writing, but I also enjoyed courses in creative writing and poetry. As an IT professional, I have written many technical documents, including Concepts of Operations (ConOps), development plans, transition plans and so on.  But this is my first foray into a full-length book on a single, focused topic.

How long did it take you to have your first submission published from the time you started writing?
The process of submitting the manuscript, having the editors make suggestions and corrections, rewrites and physical layout and arrangements took about a year and a half. After the draft publication, I had to do a few more ‘final’ passes to ensure the images were embedded correctly and no changes to the content had been inadvertently included. It’s a very tedious undertaking!

What is the most recent book you have read?
The last book I read was Business Rule Concepts: Getting to the Point of Knowledge, by Ronald G. Ross. It’s a really good book on constructing business rules and leveraging the rules in the decision-making process.

Are you currently writing a book now and if so can you describe it?The book I just had published is entitled Data Analysis and Harmonization: A Simple Guide. The book is an easy-to-follow guide on identifying data sources, eliciting data requirements, recording them, managing them and presenting them. The harmonization process I describe and apply is the process of determining every piece of data that you (or your organization) require in order to make informed business decisions and successfully complete your business processes and reach your organizational goals. After all, it’s difficult to make a good decision without good data!

Who are your favorite fiction or non-fiction authors?
My favorite fiction author is Dean Koontz. I don’t read much fiction, but when I do, I prefer to read his novels. As for non-fiction, I enjoy biographical writers such as Harry Shapiro (music) and Wayne Stewart (sports). I’m always interested in what made (or makes) great minds tick, whether it be technology, music, sports or science.    

FEATURED BOOK:
Data Analysis and Harmonization: A Simple Guide
Information Technology; hard cover, soft cover or eBook; 156 pages
iUniverse Inc., $9.99-$24.95, depending on type.

The book describes the process of data analysis and harmonization. It begins by identifying the problems caused by inefficient data storage. The book then walks the reader through identifying, gathering, recording, harmonizing and presenting the data requirements. It also covers topics such as industry standards, desirable requirements management software features and next steps after the process is complete. As a data analyst, you must be able to clearly communicate requirements to your stakeholders. Remember, data is the most important corporate asset – manage it well!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jeff Voivoda is a Certified Enterprise Data Architect (CEA) with more than 20 years of Information Technology experience encompassing all phases of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). He has extensive experience in data and business process analysis and reengineering, data and functional requirements identification, recording, managing and publishing, software development, testing and training.