What is a data map and why is it useful?

• A. A data map records only data storage locations.
• B. A data map visualizes data flows and touchpoints across systems, helping stakeholders understand data movement and dependencies.
• C. A data map replaces data quality metrics.
• D. A data map is a security diagram for firewall rules.

Answer: (B)

A data map shows how data moves through an organization—where it comes from, how it travels between systems, where it is stored or transformed, and who or what uses it. This visualization of data flows and touchpoints helps stakeholders understand data movement and dependencies, making it easier to see data lineage, identify potential bottlenecks, and assess privacy and compliance impacts. It’s more than just where data is stored; it captures the paths data takes and how systems interact with it, which is essential for effective governance and impact analysis. The other options are narrower or unrelated: recording only storage locations misses the movement and interactions; replacing data quality metrics is not what a data map does, since maps complement metrics; and a security diagram for firewall rules focuses on network security, not data flow and lineage.