dataort

Dataort is a conceptual framework for organizing and exchanging data across heterogeneous information systems. It emphasizes defined ownership, lifecycle management, interoperability, and formal data contracts between producers and consumers.

The term dataort was coined in the early 2020s by researchers in data governance circles. It combines "data" with "ort" from German Ort meaning place, signaling a defined place or contract for a data asset and its usage.

Data contracts specify schemas, constraints, quality metrics, and governance rules; metadata-driven lineage and provenance; schema evolution with compatibility; access control and policy enforcement; event-driven interoperability and API-first integration.

Common components include a data contract registry, a metadata catalog, a data orchestration layer, data quality and governance modules, and connectors to data sources and destinations. It supports multi-cloud and hybrid environments via decoupled producers and consumers.

There is no single formal standard, but dataort aligns with data contracts, schema registries, and provenance concepts. Implementations often use JSON Schema, Avro, or Protobuf schemas, paired with governance metadata models and catalog tools; policy engines enforce rules.

Used for enterprise data integration, cross-organization data sharing, data marketplaces, and regulatory compliance. It remains emergent, with pilots and case studies; adoption varies.