Certified Data Management Professional – Fundamentals (CDMP) — Question 25

The difference between a System of Record and a System of Reference is:

Answer options

• A. They are the same thing
• B. A system of record is a trusted way to access the data; a system of reference is the original source of the data
• C. A system of record is the source of master data; a system of reference is the source of reference data
• D. A system of record is the original source of the data; the system of reference is a trusted way to access the data
• E. A system of reference is the source of transaction data; the system of record is the source of master data

Correct answer: D

Explanation

The correct answer is D because it accurately describes a System of Record as the original source of data and a System of Reference as a reliable access point for that data. Options A and B misrepresent the roles of the systems, while C and E incorrectly define the types of data associated with each system.