S1 E3 | Building Sustainable Data Products that actually get used
May 15, 2025
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Kris Peeters & Geert Verstraeten - The Data Playbook Podcast
Discover how sustainable data products drive real impact, lasting value, and better business decisions—without unnecessary complexity.
In this episode of The Data Playbook, we dive deep into a critical, often-overlooked question: What does it mean to build sustainable data products? And no, we’re not just talking ESG dashboards or carbon reporting.
🎙️ Host Kris Peeters is joined by Geert Verstraeten, a seasoned data scientist, founder of Python Predictions, and now a Co-Lead at The Data Forest—a consultancy that puts purpose and sustainability at the core of every data project.
Over a candid and rich conversation, Geert shares:
How he transitioned from startup founder to corporate leader and back to startup life—with a sustainability mission.
Why many data projects fail not because of tech, but because of missed alignment and poor adoption.
What sustainable data products really are: tools that not only minimize environmental impact, but also stand the test of time—well-documented, actually used, and aligned with real business needs.
Why selecting the right clients and projects is the first step toward impact, not just profit.
How the Data Forest scores potential engagements using a unique framework: Head, Heart, and Hands.
💡 Along the way, you’ll hear thought-provoking takes on:
The role of documentation in sustainability.
Why good data work isn’t about building everything real-time or at scale—especially when you’re not Google.
The paradox of GenAI and compute-heavy models in a world striving for tech responsibility.
Whether you're a data engineer, architect, scientist, or team lead, this episode challenges you to rethink what a "good" data project looks like.
👀 If you’ve ever built something technically brilliant that no one used, this episode is for you.
Hit play to hear:
What drives Geert and his team at The Data Forest
How to make better decisions on project scoping and client fit
Why data professionals need to talk to stakeholders much earlier—and more often
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