Data Architecture: A Primer for the Data Scientist

1.6

The Life Cycle of Data – Understanding Data Over Time

Abstract

Data passes through a predictable life cycle as it is used by the organization. The life cycle looks like - entry->capture ->organize->store->integrate->usefulness->archival->discard. As data becomes useful it passes through a curve of usefulness. The more that data ages the less useful it becomes, for most data. Data finally reaches a point where it becomes “dormant.” Detailed data and summary data have different curves of usefulness. Summary data degrades more quickly than detailed data. There is another curve of degradation that data passes through and that curve is the curve of the degradation of integrity.

Keywords

data life cycle

curve of usefulness

curve of integrity ...