Words Matter

Why do we need a formal definition of real time? Because if we do not have one, I am going to strangle the next executive that ask the question, “But what is real time?”.

Ok so I am probably not going to force choke a client, however, I am incredibly tired of doing this dance where I bring up real time analytics and that question is the next thing out of someone’s mouth. I think we all have an intuitive understanding of what real time actually is. However, I will allow for the fact that, without a formal definition, what can be considered real time is open to interpretation.

With that in mind, this article is my attempt to get everybody on the same page in terms of what real time is. This is the definition that will be used in all MSU classes. It is my hope that this definition will propagate out to the rest of the tech community, and I will never have to go full Vader in a meeting.