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DPCH10 — Addressable

“Provides Well-Defined Output Interfaces”

What DPCH10 is really asserting

DPCH10 is not asserting that:

“There is an API somewhere” or “users can download data.”

It is asserting that:

A Data Product is addressable and consumable through explicit, well-defined output ports that match the needs of different consumers — human and machine — with experience layers built on top of those ports, not instead of them.

The product is accessed through ports, not through ad-hoc paths.


The Essence (HDIP + MSDH Interpretation)

A Data Product satisfies DPCH10 if and only if:

  1. It exposes explicit output ports (APIs, query endpoints, streams, files)
  2. Those ports are consumer-appropriate, not one-size-fits-all
  3. Any UI or experience layer is a consumer of the ports, not the product itself

The product must be addressable independently of any UI.


Ports vs Interfaces (Critical Distinction)

Output Ports (Product Contract)

These are part of the Data Product:

  • REST / GraphQL APIs
  • SQL / federated query endpoints
  • Event or stream interfaces
  • File/object outputs (where appropriate)

They are:

  • versioned
  • documented
  • governed
  • policy-enforced

Experience Interfaces (Consumers)

These are not the product:

  • dashboards
  • visual explorers
  • analytics notebooks
  • MSDH visual interfaces
  • marketplace viewers

They consume the ports to create experiences.


Comic World Analogy (Viz Landscape)

  • Comic Product = Data Product
  • Asset Access APIs = Output Ports
  • Comic Reader UI = Consumer experience

The comic reader:

  • does not own the comic
  • does not embed the assets directly
  • consumes the comic via asset APIs

Likewise, a Data Product must not be “trapped” inside a UI.


Positive Criteria — When DPCH10 is met

DPCH10 is met when all of the following are true:

1. Output ports are explicit and documented

The product declares:

  • what ports it exposes
  • what each port is for
  • who it is intended for (humans, machines, both)

Examples:

  • API for applications and agents
  • SQL port for analysts
  • Search/query API for visual explorers

2. Ports are aligned to consumption needs

Different consumers can:

  • choose the right port for their purpose
  • consume without adapting the product itself

Examples:

  • ML model consumes via API
  • analyst uses query interface
  • executive uses visual interface (via API)

This is multi-modal consumption done right.


3. Experience layers are decoupled

UI tools:

  • do not contain business logic of the product
  • do not bypass governance
  • can be replaced without changing the product

The product remains stable even if experiences change.


Negative Criteria — When DPCH10 is not met

DPCH10 is not met if any of the following are true:

❌ Product is accessible only through a UI

Examples:

  • “Use this dashboard to access the data”
  • UI is the only access path
  • No API or query interface exists

This is an application, not a product.


❌ Consumers must reverse-engineer access

Examples:

  • undocumented endpoints
  • ad-hoc credentials
  • access instructions via email or chat

This breaks self-service and governance.


❌ One port forced for all consumers

Examples:

  • only SQL for everything
  • only file dumps
  • only REST regardless of use case

This leads to misuse and duplication.


Edge Cases (Important Guidance for Agents)

Case 1: “UI exists and APIs exist behind it”

⚠️ Partial

Rationale:

  • APIs exist, but may not be documented or supported as first-class ports
  • Often transitional

Case 2: “Multiple ports with clear contracts”

Met

Rationale:

  • product is addressable
  • consumers choose appropriate interface
  • experience layers remain optional

Case 3: “APIs exist but bypass governance”

Not met

Rationale:

  • ports must be policy-enforced (ties back to DPCH09)
  • raw access ≠ productized access

Evidence Signals an Agent Should Look For

Authoritative evidence:

  • Product output port definitions
  • API specs / query contracts
  • Port documentation in catalog/marketplace

Supporting evidence:

  • Usage telemetry per port
  • Multiple consumption archetypes (CSxx)
  • Visual tools consuming the same ports

Red flags:

  • UI screenshots as “documentation”
  • ports known only to internal teams
  • direct DB access credentials

How an AI Agent Should Decide

Decision rule (simplified):

If the Data Product cannot be consumed through explicit, documented output ports independently of any specific UI or tool, DPCH10 is not met.


Why DPCH10 Is Non-Negotiable

Without DPCH10:

  • reuse becomes fragile
  • automation is impossible
  • AI agents cannot consume products safely
  • MSDH experiences become tightly coupled silos

DPCH10 is what turns a Data Product into a platform-grade asset.


Canonical Statement

DPCH10 is satisfied only when a Data Product exposes explicit, governed output ports aligned to diverse consumer needs, with experience interfaces acting solely as consumers of those ports rather than as the product itself.