Page 74 - Data Architecture

Chapter 1.6: The Life Cycle of Data: Understanding Data Over Time

Fig. 1.6.3 From raw data to summarized data.

The life cycle for most summarized or aggregated data begins the same way that raw
detailed data begin. Raw data are ingested into the corporation. But once that raw data
become a part of the infrastructure, the raw data are accessed, categorized, and
calculated. The calculation is then saves as part of the information infrastructure, as seen

in Fig. 1.6.3.

Once raw and summarized become part of the information infrastructure, the data are

then subject to the “curve of usefulness.” The curve of usefulness states that the longer
data remain in the infrastructure, the less likely it is that the data will be used in analysis.

Fig. 1.6.4 illustrates that when looked at from the standpoint of age, the fresher the data
are, the greater the chances are that the data will be accessed. This phenomenon applies
to most types of data found in the corporate information infrastructure.

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