metadatan

Metadatan is a hypothetical metadata framework and repository intended to describe data assets across an organization. The name blends metadata management with a broader focus on data products and services, emphasizing both the data itself and the contextual information that surrounds it.

Core concepts include records for datasets, data products, and data services; lineage graphs that trace data provenance; quality and usage metrics; data sensitivity classifications; access controls; retention rules; and assignments of stewardship responsibilities.

Architecturally, Metadatan envisions a central or federated metadata store with pluggable connectors to data sources, pipelines, catalogs, and reporting tools. It supports metadata ingestion from databases, ETL/ELT processes, and BI systems; provides APIs for querying and updating metadata; and includes governance workflows for validation and change management.

Common use cases are data discovery, impact analysis, compliance with data protection regulations, data quality monitoring, and controlled data sharing with partners. The framework aims to make data provenance transparent and to support policy enforcement across data lifecycles.

Metadatan seeks interoperability with existing standards such as DCAT for catalog metadata and PROV-O for provenance, while promoting common vocabularies and ontologies. Open formats and schemas, along with clear versioning, are encouraged to facilitate integration.

Challenges include managing metadata volume and quality, aligning governance across domains, privacy and security concerns, and ensuring scalable performance.