3 V’s of Big Data

In a 2001 research and related lectures, META Group (now Gartner) analyst Doug Laney defined data growth challenges and opportunities as being three-dimensional. Increasing volume (amount of data), velocity (speed of data in and out) and variety (range of data types and sources). Gartner and now much of the industry, continue to use this “3Vs” model for describing big data.

In 2012, Gartner updated its definition as follows: “Big data is high volume, high velocity, and/or high variety information assets that require new forms of processing to enable enhanced decision making, insight discovery and process optimization”. Gartner definition of the 3Vs is still widely used in agreement with a consensual definition that states that “Big Data represents the information assets characterized by such a High Volume, Velocity and Variety to require specific Technology and Analytical Methods for its transformation into value”.