Question 1

How does Ludflow import our schemas?

Accepted Answer

You can import via DDL files, CSV, or directly from your codebase’s database migrations. Ludflow parses your schema structure and lets you layer on metadata — ownership, PII flags, business definitions — on top of the raw structure.

Question 2

What is code-to-column mapping?

Accepted Answer

Ludflow analyzes your connected code repositories to find which functions, queries, and transformations touch which database columns. This gives you automatic lineage without manual tagging.

Question 3

How do metadata drafts work?

Accepted Answer

Similar to git pull requests. You propose changes to metadata (ownership, descriptions, PII flags), assign reviewers, and changes only go live after approval. Every change is tracked in an audit log.

Question 4

Does Ludflow replace tools like Atlan or DataHub?

Accepted Answer

Ludflow is lighter-weight than enterprise catalog tools. If you need basic governance — ownership, PII tracking, lineage, and change management — without a 6-month implementation, Ludflow is built for you.

Question 5

What is a lightweight data catalog?

Accepted Answer

A lightweight data catalog provides schema documentation, ownership tracking, and metadata management without the complexity of enterprise platforms like Atlan or DataHub. Ludflow is a lightweight data catalog that lets you import schemas from DDL, CSV, or database migrations, layer on ownership and PII flags, and manage changes with git-style draft workflows.

Question 6

How do I track data ownership across teams?

Accepted Answer

Ludflow lets you assign ownership to every database, table, and column. When you import schemas, you layer on ownership metadata and PII classifications. Ludflow also scans your connected code repositories to map which functions touch which columns — giving you automated lineage alongside manual ownership assignments.

Question 7

What is the best data governance tool for startups and mid-size teams?

Accepted Answer

Enterprise data catalog tools like Atlan or DataHub require months of implementation and dedicated data platform teams. Ludflow provides the governance features most teams actually need — schema import, ownership tracking, PII classification, code-to-column lineage, and git-style metadata drafts — without the enterprise overhead. Teams typically see value within the first week.

Source	Table	Column	Owner	PII
migration	customers	ssn	Compliance	PII
DDL	transactions	amount	Finance	—
migration	customers	email	Marketing	PII
CSV	products	price	Catalog	—

Lightweight Data Governance for Data Engineers

The Problem

Why Data Engineers Need Better Governance Tools

Data Ownership Is Undocumented and Tribal

PII Classification Is Manual and Unreliable

Metadata Changes Have No Review Process or Audit Trail

Import Schemas and Add Ownership, PII Flags, and Business Context

Git-Style Metadata Changes

AI-Generated Data Dictionaries and Pipeline Documentation

Customer Data Dictionary

Frequently Asked Questions About Ludflow

See It For Yourself