A new architecture initiative finds undocumented feeds and shadow databases across departments. Where should architecture work start?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
You wouldn’t remodel a house without walking the rooms and finding the mystery pipes. Same with data architecture: map what exists—feeds, shadow databases, and headaches—before drawing the dream kitchen.
Full Explanation
Deciphering current-state architecture means inventorying systems, interfaces, data stores, ownership, and known failure modes before proposing targets. Undocumented feeds and shadow databases are common sources of risk and duplicated effort. Skipping as-is discovery produces target designs that ignore real dependencies and operational constraints.