SF-Data-Arch Salesforce Data Management Practice Question
When designing a master data management (MDM) strategy for Salesforce, which THREE factors are critical to preventing duplicate data across the enterprise? (Select THREE)
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates focus exclusively on technical deduplication rules while forgetting that enterprise master data management requires broader governance policies and unique identifiers.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implementing standard and custom Matching Rules.
Effective MDM strategies require a combination of automated matching rules, robust integration standards, and consistent data governance. These factors ensure that data entered through various channels is normalized and deduped at the point of entry. By implementing these controls, organizations maintain a single source of truth, improve data quality, and reduce the operational costs associated with manual data cleansing and conflicting records within their Salesforce environment.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Implementing standard and custom Matching Rules.
Why this is correct
Matching rules are essential for identifying potential duplicates during record creation. By defining specific criteria based on business logic, Salesforce can flag or block duplicates automatically, ensuring that records remain unique and that the database integrity is maintained across different user input sources and automated integration processes.
- ✗
Enforcing data entry through API-only integrations.
Why it's wrong here
Restricting data entry to APIs does not prevent duplicates; it only restricts the entry point. A robust MDM strategy must address data quality regardless of the source, whether manual or automated. Focusing on the entry point rather than the logic of identification and remediation is a flawed approach to duplicates.
- ✓
Establishing a Unique Identifier (External ID) strategy.
Why this is correct
Using External IDs from source systems is a cornerstone of MDM. It allows Salesforce to reliably map records from disparate systems, preventing the accidental creation of duplicate records during synchronization. This provides a clear link between systems, facilitating data consistency and simplifying the integration architecture for enterprise data flows.
- ✓
Deploying a centralized Data Governance policy.
Why this is correct
Data governance defines the standards, roles, and responsibilities for managing data. Without a clear policy, different departments may input data in conflicting formats, leading to duplicates that matching rules might miss. Governance ensures that all stakeholders understand the importance of quality, consistency, and the processes for resolving conflicting data.
- ✗
Regularly increasing the Data Storage capacity.
Why it's wrong here
Storage capacity is unrelated to data quality and duplication. Adding storage space does not address the root problem of why duplicates exist. In fact, it can encourage poor data practices by allowing the database to grow unchecked, making the eventual cleanup process significantly more difficult and time-consuming.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Salesforce exam blueprint
This SF-Data-Arch practice question is part of Courseiva's free Salesforce certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SF-Data-Arch exam.