# DQS Overview

> Learn what Data Quality Sense is, how it works, and why Salesforce-native architecture matters for your data.

Source: https://dataqualitysense.com/resources/using-dqs/dqs-overview/
Last updated: 2026-06-03

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## What is Data Quality Sense?

Data Quality Sense (DQS) is a Salesforce-native data profiling and quality analysis application. It helps you measure, understand, and improve your data quality to ensure reliable business decisions and AI-ready datasets.

DQS runs entirely within Salesforce. Your data never leaves the platform.

## Key Differentiators

### 100% Salesforce-Native

DQS is built on the Salesforce platform using standard architecture:

| Component | Technology |
|-----------|------------|
| User Interface | Lightning Web Components (LWC) |
| Configuration | Custom Metadata Types (CMT) |
| Processing | Apex Batch Jobs |
| Storage | Custom Objects |

**Why native matters:**
- Your data stays in Salesforce (no export, no external APIs)
- Uses existing Salesforce security and permissions
- No integration to maintain or troubleshoot
- Familiar interface for Salesforce users

### No Code Required

Configure DQS through a point-and-click wizard. No Apex code, no formulas, no technical skills required.

The Definition Builder guides you through:
1. Selecting what to measure
2. Choosing which fields to analyze
3. Setting thresholds and rules
4. Reviewing and activating

Salesforce Admins can configure and run scans without developer support.

### All Features Included

DQS is a single paid product. Every capability is available to all users:

- All Data Quality dimension variants
- AI Readiness (PII Detection)
- Custom regex patterns
- CSV export
- Scheduling and recurring scans
- Mentor Panel — contextual, in-context recommendations based on what each scan just measured

The only usage limit is the per-org scan count (configurable, default 10 scans).

## What DQS Measures

DQS organizes its capabilities into two dimensions:

### Data Quality Dimension

Traditional data quality checks for operational hygiene:

| Capability | What It Measures |
|------------|------------------|
| Completeness | Are required fields populated? |
| Validity | Do values match expected formats? |
| Uniqueness | Are records distinct? |
| Timeliness | Is data current? |
| Consistency | Are values uniform? |

### AI Readiness Dimension

Advanced check for Agentforce and AI preparation:

| Capability | What It Measures |
|------------|------------------|
| PII Detection | Is sensitive data protected before AI exposure? |

## How DQS Works

### The DQS Workflow

1. **Define** what to analyze using the Definition Builder
2. **Configure** thresholds and rules for each capability
3. **Execute** scans that process your records in batches
4. **Review** results with metrics and drill-down to affected records
5. **Act** on findings — guided by the Mentor Panel's contextual recommendations — to improve data quality
6. **Monitor** trends over time with recurring scans

### Architecture Overview

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                     DEFINITION BUILDER                       │
│   Configure what to analyze, which fields, what thresholds  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                      SCAN EXECUTION                          │
│   Batch Apex processes records against selected capabilities │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                      RESULTS STORAGE                         │
│   Metrics stored in custom objects for analysis and trends   │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    RESULTS DASHBOARD                         │
│   View scores, drill down to records, export for cleanup     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

### Processing Model

DQS uses Salesforce Batch Apex for processing, which means:

- **Scalable**: Handles millions of records
- **Governed**: Respects Salesforce limits automatically
- **Background**: Runs without blocking users
- **Resumable**: Continues if interrupted

Processing cost varies by capability:

| Cost Level | Example Capabilities | Notes |
|------------|----------------------|-------|
| LOW | Completeness, Validity | Simple field checks |
| MEDIUM | Timeliness, Consistency, PII Detection | Pattern analysis |
| HIGH | Uniqueness | Cross-record comparison |

## Key Concepts

### Definition

A Definition is your configured data quality check. It specifies:

- Which Salesforce object to analyze
- Which fields to include
- Which capabilities to run
- What thresholds and rules to apply
- What filters to narrow the scope

You can have multiple Definitions for different objects or use cases.

### Capability

A capability is a specific type of data quality check (Completeness, Validity, etc.). Each capability has:

- **Variants**: Different implementations of the same check
- **Metrics**: What it measures (rates, counts, scores)
- **Configuration**: Thresholds and options you set

### Variant

A variant is a specific implementation of a capability. For example, Completeness has:

- **Global Fill Rate**: Basic completeness percentage
- **Contextual Logic**: Completeness with conditional rules

### Metric

A metric is a specific measurement produced by a scan. Examples:

| Metric | Type | Example |
|--------|------|---------|
| Completeness Rate | Percentage | 85% of records have Email populated |
| Invalid Count | Integer | 234 records have invalid email format |
| Dominant Values | JSON | Top 5 most common Industry values |

## Getting Started

### Step 1: Install from AppExchange

1. Go to Salesforce AppExchange
2. Search for "Data Quality Sense"
3. Click "Get It Now" and follow the installation wizard
4. Assign the DQS permission set to users

### Step 2: Create Your First Definition

1. Open DQS from the App Launcher
2. Click "New Definition"
3. Follow the wizard to configure your first scan

For detailed guidance, see the [Definition Builder Guide](/resources/using-dqs/definition-builder/).

### Step 3: Run and Review

1. Save your Definition
2. Click "Run Scan"
3. Wait for processing to complete
4. Review your results

See [Understanding Results](/resources/using-dqs/understanding-results/) for interpretation guidance.

## Next Steps

- [Definition Builder Guide](/resources/using-dqs/definition-builder/): Step-by-step configuration
- [Running Scans](/resources/using-dqs/running-scans/): Execution and monitoring
- [Understanding Results](/resources/using-dqs/understanding-results/): Interpreting your data