What is schema drift?
Schema drift refers to the gradual changes that occur in the structure, format, or organization of data within a database or data system over time. This can happen due to updates, modifications, or inconsistencies in the data sources, such as adding new fields, changing data types, or renaming columns.
Schema drift can pose challenges for data integration, consistency, and analytics, as it may cause mismatches between expected and actual data structures, leading to errors and requiring ongoing adjustments to data processing pipelines.
How do you manage schema drift?
Managing schema drift involves implementing strategies and tools to detect, handle, and mitigate changes in database schemas that can disrupt data integration, processing, and analytics workflows. Best practices include:
- Versioning and change tracking
- Monitoring and alerts
- Data validation and testing
- Documentation and cross-team collaboration
- Employing a flexible data integration platform
- Change management and data stewardship
