An enterprise wants to reduce the complexity of its data assets while ensuring impact to the business is minimized during the transition. Which of the following should be done FIRST?

Removing applications is a corrective action that should only be taken *after* understanding the information architecture and assessing the potential impact.

Reviewing information classification and retention policies is an important governance step, but it typically follows an understanding of the overall information architecture to ensure policies are applied correctly.

To reduce the complexity of data assets effectively and minimize business impact, the first step is to thoroughly review the current information architecture. This foundational review provides a clear understanding of how data is currently structured, stored, accessed, and managed across the enterprise, identifying existing complexities and interdependencies before any changes or reductions can be planned and executed systematically.

Assessing current information ownership is a part of information governance, but understanding the architecture (what data exists, where, how it flows) precedes assigning or clarifying ownership to complex data assets.