Justin Hostettler-Davies

As data estates grow and SQL Server environments become more complex, organizations wrestle with how to structure their DBA teams. Should DBAs be embedded within individual product or application teams? Or should they operate as a centralized shared service supporting the entire enterprise? We’ll compare the siloed dedicated DBA model with the shared service model using real-world examples. We’ll explore how team structure impacts performance tuning, incident response, technical depth, tool standardization, knowledge sharing, automation, and long-term scalability. You’ll learn why many companies are moving toward shared service DBA teams - and where this model may fall short. We’ll break down the trade-offs: agility vs. consistency, speed vs. governance, tribal knowledge vs. institutional knowledge. Whether you’re a DBA, manager, architect, or team lead, you’ll leave with a practical framework for evaluating your organization’s approach and building a modern, scalable, and highly effective SQL Server support model.