The Future of Data Management: A Delimitation of Data Platforms, Data Spaces, Data Meshes, and Data Fabrics

Abstract

As traditional data management approaches increasingly become barriers to innovation, emerging modern approaches such as data spaces, fabrics and meshes provide much-needed flexibility. To demonstrate the potential of these modern approaches, we conducted a structured literature review and comparative analysis of 189 contributions to explore the differences between data platforms, data spaces, data fabrics and data meshes, highlighting their unique advantages in terms of governance mode and application area. Throughout our delimitation, the study reveals that data platforms and data fabrics offer centralized structures, ensuring control, accessibility, and streamlined management while decentralized data meshes and data spaces prioritize flexibility. We provide a data management matrix that provides valuable insights for organizations seeking to optimize their data management strategies in the sharing economy.