What is the purpose of exposures in a dbt project?

The purpose of exposures in a dbt project is to define and describe downstream usage scenarios. Exposures are a way to document and communicate how models in a dbt project are used by downstream stakeholders. They provide valuable context about the data transformations and help other teams understand the implications and applications of the transformed data. By outlining how specific models are utilized, exposures facilitate better decision-making and collaboration across teams, ensuring that users can trust and fully leverage the data provided by the dbt models.

This approach creates a structured environment where data consumption paths are clear, thereby enhancing the overall data governance framework within an organization.