Data and trust

“Which version should I trust?” That question can start with a spreadsheet, a supplier record or a report that doesn't agree with finance. This lane helps you work through it, one record at a time.

Start with what a data model is. Follow a flat order sheet as it becomes customers, sales orders, order lines and products. Then see how sales, warehouse and finance can work with shared records through different views and permissions. It's for anyone planning a business application, including the person asked to add just one more column.

Next, read what data governance means in practice. A supplier's proposed bank change gives us concrete questions: who prepares it, who approves it, who may see the details and what evidence remains? The guide pairs responsibilities with controls you can inspect.

When you're evaluating where your business data belongs, move to ownership, residency and sovereignty. Use it to separate the questions you need to ask a vendor before making a decision.

If you're technical, bring a record and its relationships. If you're not, bring a moment when two people disagreed about the same fact. Both are useful places to begin.