Roberto Zagni

Roberto Zagni is an independent senior data architect, agile coach, and electronic engineer. He specializes in bringing software engineering best practices to cloud data platforms, empowering teams to embrace DataOps and build systems they genuinely enjoy working on.

With nearly two decades of industry experience, Roberto helps organizations transition to modern, cloud-based data automation. He is the creator of the Pragmatic Data Platform (PDP) architecture, an approach that emphasizes scalable, automated, and SQL-first, pattern-based data management. He is the author of Data Engineering with dbt (2023) and Building a Pragmatic Data Platform with dbt and Snowflake (2026).

Roberto’s consulting approach focuses on hands-on coaching. He trains data teams in practical architecture, pattern-based development, automated testing, and version control. His goal is to help developers balance rapid, pattern-driven delivery while keeping technical debt in check through pragmatic decisions.

Since 2019, his primary toolset has centered on dbt, dbt Cloud, and Snowflake. He actively shares his insights, PDP macros, and methodologies with the broader data community in his blog.