Salesforce Certified Data Architecture Practice Test

What type of relationship field should be used for inventory data related to Accounts?

1. Master-detail relationship field on Account.

2. Master-detail relationship field on Inventory_c.

3. Indirect lookup relationship on Account.

4. Lookup relationship field on Inventory_c.

The correct answer is: Master-detail relationship field on Inventory_c.

The most appropriate relationship field for inventory data related to Accounts is the master-detail relationship field on the Inventory_c object. In a master-detail relationship, there is a strong coupling between the parent (in this case, the Inventory_c records) and the child (Account). This means that the Inventory_c records cannot exist without the associated Account, ensuring tight data integrity and enforcing cascading behaviors for record sharing and security. Using a master-detail relationship allows for the Inventory_c records to inherit the ownership and sharing settings of the Account. This linkage is critical when managing inventory data that is directly associated with specific accounts, given that the inventory's lifecycle is often tied to the account's activities and needs. Additionally, since inventory data typically requires tracking specific quantities and details in relation to a specific account, this relationship type provides better data management capabilities, such as roll-up summary fields. These fields can calculate totals (such as total inventory value) for all related Inventory_c records, further enhancing data analysis and reporting related to accounts. In contrast, other types of relationships, like lookup relationships, do not enforce such stringent linkage and may lead to standalone Inventory_c records that are not directly bound to any account, which could complicate inventory management processes.