Canonical data modeling is process of designing and implementing a standardized and consistent way of representing entities and relationships across an organization and between differing data formats.
The objective of an overarching enterprise-wide data model is to establish a common, ubiquitous language for data and metadata to facilitate integration and interoperability between disparate internal and external systems and data sources.
Designing and implementing a canonical data model and the underlying structures to support it will naturally reduce the complexities of managing data, eliminate ambiguity through the mapping and use of a common vocabulary, and facilitate the consistency and understanding of data across and even beyond the enterprise.
