# Business and technical metadata: classification and lineage

*Platform Data Architect Study Guide · Data Modeling/Database Design · Last updated October 26, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-data-architect/data-modeling-database-design/business-and-technical-metadata-classification-and-lineage*

The four data classification metadata fields, their default values, permissions, API names and upload and download rules; field Description and Help Text as a business dictionary; entity lineage and object tiering; and Schema Builder and FieldDefinition as technical metadata sources.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Data Architect
- Exam section: Data Modeling/Database Design
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-data-architect

**Official exam objective:**

> Compare and contrast various techniques, approaches and considerations for capturing and managing business and technical metadata (for example, business dictionary, data lineage, taxonomy, data classification).

## What the exam expects

- Pick the right data classification field for a requirement (regulation, sensitivity, owner, in-use status) and know how to customize its values.
- Get classification metadata in and out: Object Manager, the upload and download tools, the Metadata API and FieldDefinition queries, including the User and person account exceptions.
- Build a lightweight business dictionary with field Description and Help Text.
- Document lineage per entity (source of truth, create/edit/delete path, owner and steward) and design history so values can be traced.
- Apply an object tiering taxonomy and use Schema Builder for technical metadata.

Key terms: **data classification** (four field-level metadata fields about a field's data); **business dictionary** (agreed definitions of each field); **data lineage** (where data comes from and how it changes); **taxonomy / object tiering** (grouping objects by how tightly their metadata is controlled); **technical metadata** (structure: objects, relationships, required fields).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Edit permission | Customize Application or Modify Data Classification | [Data Classification Metadata Fields](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_classification_metadata_fields.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Availability | All editions; enabled automatically in all orgs | [Set Up Data Classification Metadata](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_classification_set_up.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Sensitivity defaults | Public, Internal, Confidential, Restricted, MissionCritical | [Data Classification Metadata Fields](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_classification_metadata_fields.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Field Usage defaults | Active, DeprecateCandidate, Hidden | [Data Classification Metadata Fields](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_classification_metadata_fields.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Field Usage value list | Edited only via FieldBusinessStatus StandardValueSet | [Data Classification Metadata Fields](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_classification_metadata_fields.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Upload file | Up to 10,000 rows | [Set Up Data Classification Metadata](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_classification_set_up.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Download file | Up to 5 MB; only fields with a sensitivity value | [Set Up Data Classification Metadata](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_classification_set_up.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Field Description | Admin-only; not on record pages | [Custom Field Attributes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.custom_field_attributes.htm&type=5) |
| Untrackable fields | Formula, roll-up summary, auto-number, long text, multiselect | [Field Audit Trail](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=xcloud.field_audit_trail.htm&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- Why does a steward who only maintains classification values not need Customize Application?
- When should a definition go in Help Text instead of Description?
- Why can email fields show Confidential when nobody set them?
- Which object tier keeps metadata locked down by IT?

## Sources

- [Data Classification Metadata Fields](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_classification_metadata_fields.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Set Up Data Classification Metadata](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_classification_set_up.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Classify Sensitive Data to Support Data Management Policies](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.data_classification_intro.htm&type=5)
- [Custom Field Attributes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.custom_field_attributes.htm&type=5)
- [Field Audit Trail](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=xcloud.field_audit_trail.htm&type=5)
- [Design Your Own Data Model With Schema Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.schema_builder.htm&type=5)
- [Designing Enterprise Data Architecture on the Salesforce1 Platform](https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/developer-relations/2014/11/enterprise-data-architecture)
- [Effective Data Management Strategies](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/scalability-with-salesforce/manage-data-at-scale-with-salesforce)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 13 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Data Architect pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams