Identify and understand external data sources

Trigger: A data team or business unit requests new external information to augment internal datasets or support analytics.

1. Define requirements for the desired external data
2. Identify potential third-party vendors or public data sources
3. Evaluate data accuracy, completeness, and update frequency
4. Assess vendor security, privacy compliance, and authenticity
5. Document data lineage and metadata requirements
6. Finalize approval and record the source in the enterprise data catalog

Outcome: A prospective external data source is evaluated, categorized, and approved or rejected based on reliability and security standards.