Simon Sinek nailed it when he said, “Don’t show up to prove. Show up to improve.” It’s a mantra that resonates deeply, especially in our world of Power Platform solutions. We’ve all been there—excited to showcase the latest app, automation, or dashboard that Microsoft releases and our work with it. But here’s the thing: all that glitters isn’t gold if the foundation isn’t solid. And by foundation, I mean the data models that often get overlooked because they aren’t the “attention grabber”.
The Allure of the UI
Who doesn’t love a slick, intuitive interface? It’s the first thing your client notices, and it’s often what they fall in love with. A well-designed UI can make users feel like they’re driving a luxury car, even if it’s just a run down model. But here’s where we hit a snag.
In the rush to create something visually stunning, it’s easy to push the underlying data model to the back burner. After all, who’s going to “ooh” and “aah” over a perfectly normalized database? The truth is, focusing too much on the surface and not enough on the structure can lead to problems down the road.
Data Models: The Unsung Heroes of Effective Solutions
Think of your solution like a house. The UI is the beautiful facade that everyone sees, but the data model is the foundation that keeps everything standing. You wouldn’t build a mansion on quicksand, so why would you construct a complex app on a shaky data model?
When data models aren’t built properly, even the most stunning UI will eventually show cracks. It might not be immediately obvious, but over time, the flaws will start to emerge—slow performance, data integrity issues, and a whole host of other problems that could’ve been avoided with a bit more attention to the back end.
Let me share a quick story. We were brought in to troubleshoot a Power Platform solution that, on the surface, looked perfect. But the users were frustrated with slow loading times and poor performance on mobile. After digging in, we found the root cause—a data model that required large amounts of data to be loaded with every click the users made. A few tweaks later, and we had the solution running smoothly. The UI didn’t change, but the user experience improved dramatically. Why? Because we focused on improving, not just proving.
Building to Improve, Not Just Impress
This is where Sinek’s advice really shines. When we approach a project with the mindset of improving rather than proving, our priorities shift. Instead of just trying to impress with eye-catching features, we start by ensuring that the core, the data model, is rock solid.
So, how do you make sure you’re building to improve? Start by giving your data model the attention it deserves. Ask yourself: Is it scalable? Is it secure? Is it optimized for the kind of performance you’ll need? If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” it’s time to go back to the drawing board.
Moving Forward
As we move forward, let’s keep Sinek’s words in mind. Our job as Power Platform consultants isn’t just to prove that we can build something cool. It’s to improve the way we build so that our solutions stand the test of time. Whether you’re working on your next big project or revisiting an existing one, take a moment to assess your foundation. Is your data model up to the task? If not, now’s the time to make it better.
Remember, the most successful Power Platform solutions aren’t just the ones that look good; they’re the ones that work flawlessly because they’re built on a solid foundation.
If you are interested in discussing successful Power Platform solutions, contact us!
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