Single Source of Truth

In Information Systems Design and theory, as instantiated at the "Enterprise Level", Single Source Of Truth (SSOT) refers to the practice of structuring information models and associated schemata, such that every data element is stored exactly once and no more (e.g. in no more than a single row of a single table). Any possible linkages to this data element (possibly in other areas of the relational schema or even in distant federated databases) are by reference only. Thus, when any such data element is updated, this update propagates to the enterprise at large, without the possibility of a duplicate value somewhere in the distant enterprise not being updated (as there would be no duplicate values "to update"). Deployment of this architecture is becoming increasingly important in enterprise settings where incorrectly-linked duplicate or de-normalized data elements (a direct consequence of intentional or unintentional denormalization of any explicit data model) poses a risk for retrieval of outdated, and therefore, incorrect information. A common example would be the electronic health record, where it is imperative to accurately validate patient identity against a single referential repository, which serves as the SSOT. Duplicate representations of data within the enterprise would be implemented by the use of pointers rather than duplicate database tables, rows or cells. This ensures that data updates to elements in the authoritative location are comprehensively distributed to all federated database constituencies in the larger overall enterprise architecture.

SSOT systems provide data that are authentic, relevant and referable.

OT Categories

* Party SSOT
* Product SSOT
* Partner SSOT
* Geo SSOT
* Campaign SSOT
* Services SSOT