About

Wouter Trappers - Data Engineering Consultant

15 Years. One Focus.

I’ve spent my career building BI systems that actually get used. Not decks that get filed. Not dashboards that collect dust. Working systems that change how companies operate.

The track record:

  • 15+ years in data engineering and BI implementation
  • Dozens of end-to-end transformations for services and project-driven companies
  • Clients from 50 to 500+ employees across Belgium and beyond
  • Zero projects abandoned mid-way

Most consultants hand you a strategy and wish you luck with implementation. I build the thing myself—from first workshop to final dashboard.

Why Philosophy Makes Better Data Systems

Most people don’t expect a philosopher to end up in data engineering. But after graduating from Ghent University, I discovered my philosophy background was exactly what made me good at this work.

Here’s why: most BI projects fail before anyone writes code. They fail because nobody asked the right questions. “What tool should we use?” is the wrong first question. “What decision are we trying to make?” is the right one.

While other engineers optimize queries, I optimize for clarity. I spot the hidden assumptions that derail projects. I push back when the brief doesn’t make sense. That’s not stubbornness—it’s how you avoid building expensive shelfware.

“In 15 years, I’ve saved more projects by stopping them than by building them.”

The Solo Advantage

Working with me means:

No handoffs. The person who understands your strategy is the same person who builds your pipeline. Nothing gets lost in translation between “the consultant” and “the technical team.”

No juniors learning on your budget. Every hour you pay for is senior expertise. No project managers scheduling meetings about meetings.

No vendor agenda. I recommend what works, not what pays me the highest referral fee. I use industry-standard tools (dbt, Snowflake, Power BI) that any competent engineer can maintain.

Direct accountability. One phone number. One person responsible. If something breaks, you know exactly who to call.

When I Say No

I turn down work that isn’t right. If your company isn’t ready for BI yet, I’ll tell you. If you need a quick fix for a legacy system, I’m not your guy. If leadership isn’t committed to actually using the data, we’ll both waste time.

I focus on transformation—building a Single Source of Truth from the ground up for companies ready to stop managing by feel.

Beyond the Spreadsheets

When I’m not building data systems, I’m at home in Ghent with my two teenagers. My son (15) is obsessed with rugby and esports. My daughter (11) is musically gifted and speaks better English than most adults I know.

I’ve been doing CrossFit for years—there’s something about the combination of structure and intensity that appeals to the same part of my brain that loves building robust data pipelines. Hip hop dance is my unexpected passion; the freedom balances out the precision my work demands. And give me a complex boardgame with layered mechanics, and I’m happy for hours.

Ready to Talk?

Based in Ghent, available for projects throughout Belgium and beyond.

wouter@xudo.be | +32 486 91 58 45 | LinkedIn

Prefer to explore first?

Download the Dataflow Template—the framework I use to map data landscapes before any engagement. See the methodology, no strings attached.