Lineage Direction

Generally, lineage is represented as a “flow”, either of data as part of a data movement and possibly transformation process, or of “meaning” as in from a defining object like a glossary term to a defined object like a column. These directions are commonly also associated with analysis of the lineage, hence:

• DATA FLOW lineage
  • Forward or destinations or target or impact lineage of the data movement and transformation processes. Represented as being to the right of the point of origin.
  • Reverse or source lineage of the data movement and transformation processes. Represented as being to the left of the point of origin.
• SEMANTIC FLOW lineage
  • Forward or target or usage or defined lineage of the application of meaning or documentation or inheritance. Represented as being below (and many times to the right of) the point of origin.
  • Reverse or source or origin or definition lineage of the application of meaning or documentation or inheritance. Represented as being below (and many times to the right of) the point of origin.