What is the purpose of dbt documentation?

The purpose of dbt documentation is to explain the relationships between models and sources. This documentation is integral to the dbt framework as it helps data engineers and analysts understand how different models connect and interact with one another and the underlying data sources. By providing a clear mapping of these relationships, dbt documentation enhances collaboration among team members and ensures that everyone can easily navigate the data infrastructure.

This clarity is crucial for maintaining data integrity and consistency, as it allows users to see how transformations are applied from raw data sources to final models. Additionally, thorough documentation aids in onboarding new team members and facilitates better decision-making by providing precise information about data lineage.

In contrast, summarizing results of data analyses, providing insights on data trends, and facilitating data access management, while valuable in their own right, do not capture the primary role of dbt documentation as effectively as explaining relationships does.