Which of these is a benefit of data normalization?

The benefit of data normalization that stands out is its ability to allow searches to be constructed irrespective of the specific source technology associated with a data type. By standardizing data into a common format, data normalization facilitates more flexible and efficient querying. This means that analysts and engineers can create searches without needing to tailor them to each distinct source, ultimately improving the versatility of data analysis capabilities.

Furthermore, while optimizing data models in a normalized format can indeed enhance performance, this is somewhat less straightforward than simply stating the primary advantage of being able to construct searches across varied data sources. This enhanced performance focuses on a processing aspect that may not be universally applicable across all situations but is a product of the normalization process.

In contrast, the assertion that dashboards take longer to build does not align with the purpose of data normalization, which generally aims to streamline data handling processes, including dashboard creation. Lastly, while forwarder-based inputs may offer different efficiencies in data collection, it is not directly related to the normalization of data itself.

Overall, the capability to build searches regardless of source technology underscores a fundamental advantage of data normalization, enhancing analytics effectiveness and reducing complexity in data handling.