> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.aristotlemetadata.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.aristotlemetadata.com/subject-matter-and-theory/data-lineage.md).

# Data Lineage

Data lineage refers to the understanding, capturing and depiction of a data item's lifecycle. It reveals how data has moved across databases, and why.

Data lineage has a significant impact on the data governance process. It's one of the surest ways to manage risk and ensure data is handled following organisational policies and regulatory standards.

<figure><img src="/files/opzUH7Qj6ttu5NFYF4Gn" alt=""><figcaption><p>Data Lineage Process (Learning Centre. (n.d.). <em>What is Data Lineage | Examples of Tools and Techniques | Imperva</em>. [online] Available at: https://www.imperva.com/learn/data-security/data-lineage/.)</p></figcaption></figure>

## Data Lineage Functionality

Data lineage is [graphically represented](/subject-matter-and-theory/data-lineage/viewing-data-lineage-graphically.md) in the Aristotle Metadata Registry, and can be captured for:

* [Data sets](/subject-matter-and-theory/data-lineage/recording-a-data-sets-data-lineage.md), via linkage to other data sets
* [Distributions](/subject-matter-and-theory/data-lineage/recording-a-distributions-data-lineage.md), via linkage to:
  * [Other distributions](/subject-matter-and-theory/data-lineage/recording-a-distributions-data-lineage.md#how-to-record-a-distributions-source-distribution-s)
  * [Data elements](/subject-matter-and-theory/data-lineage/recording-a-distributions-data-lineage.md#how-to-record-a-distributions-data-element-path-s).