processedfor

Processedfor is a metadata designation used in data engineering to mark a data artifact with its intended downstream use. As a label, it helps data producers and consumers align on purpose, routing, and access controls for datasets, tables, or files.

Typically stored as a key-value pair in the artifact’s metadata, there is no universal standard; common implementations include a JSON field named processedfor or a catalog attribute. The value is a descriptor that identifies the target consumer, model, or context, such as "processedfor": "customer_churn_model_v2" or "processedfor": "marketing_dashboard_Q4".

Origin and usage: The term arose in practical data-management discussions as pipelines began serving multiple downstream consumers. It complements data provenance and lineage by signaling intended use rather than documenting origin alone.

Applications: Used to guide data routing, enforce usage policies, and assist in data catalog search and governance. Systems may filter or validate artifacts based on their processedfor value before enabling access or processing downstream.

Considerations: The absence or inaccuracy of processedfor labels can mislead downstream users, so governance is recommended: maintain a controlled vocabulary, apply versioning, and implement automated validation during ingestion and updates.

Related concepts include data provenance, data lineage, metadata, and data cataloging.