Which of the following best describes the role of a data mart?

The role of a data mart is specifically to address the needs of particular departments or business units within an organization. Unlike a data warehouse, which is designed to support the entire organization with comprehensive data, a data mart tailors its data collection and analysis for a specific function such as marketing, sales, finance, or human resources. This specialization allows teams to access relevant information more quickly and effectively, enabling them to make informed decisions that align closely with their departmental objectives.

Focusing on the needs of specific departments means that a data mart can provide targeted data and analytical tools that are directly applicable to the particular challenges and goals of that segment of the business. This enhances efficiency and streamlines the decision-making process, as users can avoid sifting through irrelevant data that might be included in a larger dataset.

The centralization of all business operations does not apply to a data mart, as it operates more as a supplementary tool rather than a holistic solution. Similarly, a data mart does not serve all functions of a business equally or focus on broad organizational strategies; rather, it is designed to cater to the distinct needs of individual departments, making option C the most accurate description.