A term used to describe the primary or authoritative data source for a particular data element or entity within an organization. The DBoR is the trusted source for the most accurate, complete, and up-to-date information about a specific data domain.
Key characteristics of a DBoR include:
- Single source of truth: The DBoR is the definitive source for a specific data type, ensuring consistency and accuracy across the organization.
- Data integrity: The data stored in the DBoR is carefully maintained, validated, and governed to ensure its quality and reliability.
- Integration: Other systems and applications within the organization often rely on the DBoR as the primary source for data integration and synchronization.
- Data governance: The DBoR is subject to strict data governance policies and procedures to maintain data quality, security, and compliance with relevant regulations.
- Historical record: The DBoR often records data changes over time, allowing for auditing and tracking of data evolution.
Examples of common DBoRs in organizations include:
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system: The CRM is often the DBoR for customer data, including contact information, communication history, and sales interactions.
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system: The ERP is typically the DBoR for financial data, inventory, and supply chain information.
By establishing and maintaining a DBoR, organizations can ensure data consistency, improve data quality, and enable better decision-making based on reliable information. This is particularly important in large, complex organizations where data is generated and used across multiple systems and departments.