# Choosing initial Data 360 use cases

*Data 360 Consultant Study Guide · Solution Positioning · Last updated October 16, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/data-360-consultant/solution-positioning/choosing-initial-data-360-use-cases*

How to pick a first Data 360 use case: start small instead of a big-bang launch, answer the requirement and data questions first, anchor on unifying customers, reserve real-time for problems that need it (and build its prerequisites), and choose ingestion or Zero Copy federation.

- Certification: Salesforce Data 360 Consultant
- Exam section: Solution Positioning
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/data-360-consultant

**Official exam objective:**

> Identify initial use cases for Data 360.

## What the exam expects

- Recommend a phased start (one small, actionable use case) over a big-bang launch, and explain why it makes ROI visible.
- List the questions to answer before committing to a first use case: outcomes, data needed and its accessibility, residency and compliance, owners, timeframe and credit-heavy features.
- Recognize unifying customers across systems as the anchor use case that most others depend on.
- Judge whether a problem needs real-time Data 360, and name the prerequisite (a real-time data graph) for real-time insights and segments.
- Choose between ingesting data and Zero Copy federation for a first use case, including when to turn on caching.

Key terms: **use case** is a business scenario with a data-driven action and measurable outcome; **real time** (end-to-end sub-second) means data is processed and delivered in under one second; **real-time data graph** is a precalculated, continuously refreshed view of DMO data that real-time features require; **data federation** queries external data where it lives without copying it; **caching (acceleration)** temporarily stores federated data in a DLO to lower latency.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| First use case | Small, actionable, shows value quickly; larger use cases follow | [Measure the Value of Data 360](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/data-cloud-discover-the-value/measure-the-value-of-data-cloud) |
| Requirements questions | Include data residency or compliance concerns, such as HIPAA | [Measure the Value of Data 360](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/data-cloud-discover-the-value/measure-the-value-of-data-cloud) |
| Credit planning | Identify credit-heavy features, such as real-time ingestion, before implementation | [Justify Your Investment in Data 360](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/data-cloud-discover-the-value/justify-your-investment-in-data-cloud) |
| Real time defined | End-to-end sub-second: processed and delivered in under one second | [Identify Real-Time Use Cases for Data 360](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/real-time-use-cases-in-data-cloud/identify-real-time-use-cases-for-data-cloud) |
| Real-time cost | Real time can be costly; plan credit consumption first | [Identify Real-Time Use Cases for Data 360](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/real-time-use-cases-in-data-cloud/identify-real-time-use-cases-for-data-cloud) |
| Real-time prerequisite | A real-time data graph on a Profile DMO, such as unified individual | [Explore Real-Time Features in Data 360](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/real-time-use-cases-in-data-cloud/explore-real-time-features-in-data-cloud) |
| Standard vs real-time graph | Standard refreshes on a schedule; real-time refreshes continuously | [Explore Real-Time Features in Data 360](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/real-time-use-cases-in-data-cloud/explore-real-time-features-in-data-cloud) |
| Federation default | Live query; zero data persisted | [Explore Use Cases for Zero Copy Data Federation](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/data-cloud-with-zero-copy/explore-use-cases-for-zero-copy-data-federation) |
| Caching | Query federation only; lowers latency, impacts cost; file federation always live | [Explore Use Cases for Zero Copy Data Federation](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/data-cloud-with-zero-copy/explore-use-cases-for-zero-copy-data-federation) |

## Check yourself

- Why does Salesforce recommend a small first use case?
- When is a problem a good fit for real-time Data 360?
- What must exist before real-time insights and segments can be used?
- When should caching be turned on for federated data?

## Sources

- [Measure the Value of Data 360](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/data-cloud-discover-the-value/measure-the-value-of-data-cloud)
- [Identify Real-Time Use Cases for Data 360](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/real-time-use-cases-in-data-cloud/identify-real-time-use-cases-for-data-cloud)
- [Explore Real-Time Features in Data 360](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/real-time-use-cases-in-data-cloud/explore-real-time-features-in-data-cloud)
- [Explore Use Cases for Zero Copy Data Federation](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/data-cloud-with-zero-copy/explore-use-cases-for-zero-copy-data-federation)
- [Zero Copy Data Federation](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_byol_data_federation.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Justify Your Investment in Data 360](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/data-cloud-discover-the-value/justify-your-investment-in-data-cloud)
- [About Identity Resolution](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_identity_resolution.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Data 360 Limits and Guidelines](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_limits_and_guidelines.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Schedule a Calculated Insight in Data 360](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_schedule_a_calculated_insight_in_data_cloud.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Data Stream Schedule in Data 360](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_data_stream_schedule.htm&language=en_US&type=5)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 9 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Data 360 Consultant pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams