What does data lineage refer to in data management?

Data lineage refers to tracking and visualizing the journey of data as it flows through various processes. This includes its origins—where the data is sourced from, how it is subsequently transformed, and the paths it takes across systems or applications until it reaches its final destination. Understanding data lineage is crucial for several reasons, including ensuring data quality, regulatory compliance, and facilitating troubleshooting when issues arise in data processing.

In data management, having clear visibility of data lineage helps organizations understand the impact of changes in data processing, improve data governance, and maintain an accurate audit trail for data users. It allows stakeholders to see not just the data itself but the processing history and usage context, which is vital for informed decision-making and accountability in data-driven environments.