Smart checks are automated, real-time rules that enforce metadata quality standards directly on asset pages. For each asset type, you can define conditions that attributes or relations must meet, for example, that a Description must exist or that a specific relation is populated. When a Smart check is configured, it evaluates those conditions each time the asset is edited, and shows a pass or fail result inline on the asset page.
Smart checks are the recommended approach for enforcing metadata quality standards automatically. Compared to articulation score and validation rules, Smart checks provide real-time feedback directly on the asset page as stewards work, with specific guidance on what needs to be fixed.
Smart checks on the asset page
Smart checks run automatically whenever an asset is edited. Non-passing characteristics are highlighted directly on the asset page, with a tooltip describing the condition that must be met. Smart check results update in real time as the asset is edited, so stewards can see their progress without needing to refresh or re-run anything.
Attributes with an active Smart check are always visible on the asset page, regardless of the Show everything switch setting. The following table shows what is visible in each switch state.
| Switch state | What's visible on the asset page |
|---|---|
| Off (default) |
|
| On (Show everything) | All attributes defined in the asset page layout. |
For information on configuring Smart checks for an asset type, go to Add a Smart check to an asset type.
Smart checks in Lifecycle management
Smart checks can also be configured as lifecycle activities within the Lifecycle tracker. When used this way, they run automatically when an asset advances to the lifecycle stage at which they are configured, and the result is displayed in the Lifecycle tracker alongside assessments and sign-off activities.
Unlike assessments and sign-off activities, Smart check activities cannot be manually added to the Lifecycle tracker. They must be added in the asset type's assignment, and configured for specific lifecycle stages of the asset. For complete information, go to:
- Smart check activities are only available in the new Lifecycle tracker. They are not supported in the legacy Lifecycle tracker widget.
- Smart check activities currently run in optional mode. A failed Smart check does not prevent you from advancing the asset to the next lifecycle stage. For more information, go to Optional mode behavior.
View Smart check results in the Lifecycle tracker
Smart check activities appear in the Lifecycle tracker alongside assessments and sign-off activities. You can view the result of a Smart check and take action based on the outcome.
In the Lifecycle tracker, click 
in the relevant Smart check activity row, or hover over the row to use the available quick actions.
The following table describes the available actions and when each one is shown.
| Action | Details | When it is shown |
|---|---|---|
| View | View the Smart check activity result and details. | The Smart check has passed. |
| Start | Run or re-run the Smart check for the current lifecycle stage. Clicking Start highlights the non-conforming characteristics on the asset page. For more information, go to Resolve a failed Smart check. | The Smart check has failed and the asset is currently in the stage at which the Smart check is configured. |
| Resolve | Indicates that the Smart check was not completed before the asset was advanced past the stage at which it is configured. Use this action to review and address the outstanding check result. | The Smart check failed or was not completed, and the asset has since been advanced to a later lifecycle stage. |
Resolve a failed Smart check
To identify which characteristics are required to satisfy a Smart check, click Show Smart checks on the asset page.
Note If your Collibra admin has configured widgets to represent characteristics on the asset page layout, any Smart check failures for those characteristics are still indicated on the relevant widget.
When a Smart check fails, you can use the Lifecycle tracker to navigate directly to the characteristics that need to be updated to meet the check's conditions.
- In the Lifecycle tracker, find the failed Smart check activity and click Start.
The non-conforming characteristics are highlighted on the asset page. Each highlighted characteristic shows a tooltip describing the condition that must be met.Note If the Lifecycle tracker is covering the highlighted characteristics, close it by clicking X in the upper-right corner of the tracker. This is a known limitation that will be improved in a future release. - Update the highlighted characteristic to meet the condition shown in the tooltip. For example, if the condition is "Must have a relation 'trained by Asset'", add the required relation to the asset.
- Repeat for any remaining highlighted characteristics.
When all conditions are met, the Smart check passes and the result is updated in the Lifecycle tracker.