A connection is useful when you know what supports it

Customer information may appear in a database, an export, and a shared document collection. A lineage view can help explain the relationships between these locations. But every connection needs a clear meaning.

Observed movement

An observed movement is supported by collected event evidence. When inspecting a connection, look at its source and destination and the evidence behind that relationship.

The view is bounded by what was collected. A graph should not be treated as a complete record of every movement across the organization simply because it displays several connected systems.

Declared dependency

A declared dependency describes a relationship found in a configuration or declaration. It can be useful for understanding intended connections and system structure.

It does not, on its own, prove that data moved. Keeping that distinction visible helps a team decide what to investigate next and what additional evidence it needs.

Turn the graph into a question

The lineage illustration on this website shows a customer database, a customer export, and shared documents. Its connections are sample relationships, clearly marked as observed or declared.

For a real evaluation, start with one question: what supports this connection, and what does that support allow us to conclude? Inspecting the evidence is more useful than assuming that a line proves a transfer, a violation, or a security outcome.