Data Lineage – A Key Data Lake Attribute

So, what exactly is data lineage? Think of it as a family tree for your data. It tells you where your data was born, how it’s grown and changed, and where it ends up. In the world of data lakes, it’s like a roadmap showing how data flows in, around, and out of the lake.

Now, why should you care about data lineage? Well, for starters, it’s a trust thing. When you know where your data’s been, you’re more likely to trust it. It’s also a lifesaver when it comes to following rules and regulations. Imagine an auditor knocking on your door – with good data lineage, you can show them exactly what’s what – and who, or what system did something to the data.

There is also the classic case of an executive meeting where the head of sales presents one set of pipeline numbers to the CEO and the head of marketing presents a different set of pipeline numbers – the CEO asks, “which set of these numbers can I trust – prove to me that your numbers are correct”. Looking at the data lineage of both sets of numbers would uncover which set was “right”.

But wait, there’s more! Ever made a change to your data and wondered, “Uh oh, what did I just break?” Data lineage helps you figure that out. And when things go wrong (because let’s face it, they sometimes do), it helps you pinpoint where the problem started.

So, how do you actually capture all this lineage info in your data lake? Here are a few tips:

• Automate, automate, automate! Use tools that automatically track lineage as data moves through your systems.
• Link it up with your metadata. Make sure your lineage info plays nice with your data dictionaries and catalogs.
• Get granular when you need to. Sometimes you need the big picture, sometimes you need the nitty-gritty details.
• Keep track of versions. Data changes, and so do the ways we process it.
• Document everything. Every transformation, every query – have it recorded!
• Watch who’s doing what. Keep an eye on who’s accessing and using your data.

Now, I’m not gonna lie – setting all this up can be a bit of a challenge. Data lakes can be huge, and modern data ecosystems can get pretty complex. Plus, you’ve got to balance capturing enough detail without going overboard and overwhelming everyone.

But here’s the bottom line: in today’s data-driven world, knowing your data’s story is crucial. It builds trust, helps you follow the rules, and makes life easier for your data scientists and analysts. This is especially important as you look to get your enterprise’s data in shape to start your inevitable journey into AI. So, roll up your sleeves and dive into data lineage. Your future self (and your auditors) will thank you!

Remember, folks: in the world of data, knowledge isn’t just power – it’s about being responsible and trustworthy too. This is why capturing data lineage is a key attribute of the SOLIXCloud Enterprise Data Lake – we get it!