A common data model (CDM) can refer to any standardised data model which allows for data and information exchange between different applications and data sources. Common data models aim to standardise logical infrastructure so that related applications can "operate on and share the same data",[1] and can be seen as a way to "organize data from many sources that are in different formats into a standard structure".[2]
A common data model has been described as one of the components of a "strong information system".[3] A standardised common data model has also been described as a typical component of a well designed agile application besides a common communication protocol.[4] Providing a single common data model within an organisation is one of the typical tasks of a data warehouse.