What characteristic of data indicates it is up-to-date and usable?

The characteristic that indicates data is up-to-date and usable is timeliness. Timeliness refers to the extent to which data is current and available when needed. In data-driven decision-making, having access to the most recent data is crucial for making informed decisions that accurately reflect the current situation or trends. If data is outdated or not collected in a timely manner, it can lead to decisions based on obsolete information, which may not align with reality and can potentially lead to poor outcomes.

While relevance pertains to the importance of the data in relation to the specific context or decision at hand, accuracy relates to how correct or truthful the data is. Quality encompasses several aspects, including accuracy, consistency, and completeness, but does not specifically address the time factor. Therefore, timeliness is the key characteristic that ensures the data is not only usable but also valuable in a rapidly changing environment.