In data management, what does 'data lineage' refer to?

Data lineage refers to the understanding and visualization of the flow of data within an organization, capturing the history of data movement from its origin to its current state. This entails tracking where the data comes from, how it has been transformed, and where it is currently stored or used, which is crucial for ensuring data quality, compliance, and governance.

By having a clear lineage of data, organizations can manage their data assets more effectively, understanding the implications of any changes made to the data as it moves through various processes. This historical context allows for better troubleshooting, auditing, and assessment of the data’s reliability and usage.

Other concepts such as data format, data cleansing, and data types are important in data management but do not encompass the broader aspects of tracking and visualizing the journey of data through the organization that data lineage provides.