Data observability is often misunderstood, but it's essential for companies that leverage their data for operational or decision-making purposes. Contrary to popular belief, data observability isn't only for big teams or big data; even small teams can benefit from it. Monitoring just one system isn't enough; you need end-to-end visibility into your entire data pipeline. Full test coverage from day one is unnecessary; start with the most important assets and expand over time. Additionally, not all data observability platforms are expensive or require a long implementation period.