What are the key benefits of data lineage in analytics?

• A. Lineage is used to optimize database queries.
• B. Lineage helps with data compression.
• C. Lineage enables real-time streaming.
• D. Tracking data lineage enables impact analysis, auditing, and trust in analytics.

Answer: (D)

Data lineage traces where data comes from, how it’s transformed, and where it goes. This visibility makes it possible to see the impact of changes across analytics, so you can assess which downstream reports or dashboards would be affected if a source or step is updated. It also supports auditing by allowing you to verify the path data took, the transformations applied, and the origins of results, which helps with compliance and trust. Because you can map the full data flow end to end, stakeholders have confidence in analytics since the results are based on transparent, traceable data movement. The other options describe operational capabilities like optimizing queries, compressing data, or enabling real-time streaming—areas that aren’t the primary purpose of lineage.