What is data provenance in governance?

• A. The origin and lifecycle of data.
• B. The speed of queries.
• C. The size of datasets.
• D. The encryption method.

Answer: (B)

Data provenance in governance refers to the origin and lifecycle of data. It tracks where data comes from, how it has been created or ingested, what transformations or processing it has undergone, and who or what has handled it along the way. This lineage makes it possible to verify data quality, reproduce analyses, and maintain an auditable trail for compliance and accountability. Understanding provenance helps you trust the data and assess the impact of any changes in sources or processes.

The other aspects listed describe different concerns: the speed of queries is about performance, the size of datasets is about volume, and the encryption method relates to security. While important, they don’t define the data’s origin and history, which is what provenance focuses on.